The MODS/MADS Editorial Committee has received a few requests for a mechanism to link fields *within* a single MODS record, and would like to learn more about how this feature would be used so we can make a good decision about how to implement this feature. 

We know of two specific use cases that have arisen in the community:

1) Linking a <name> to a <titleInfo>/<title> to construct a full name/title Uniform Title.

2) Linking two elements of the same type that represent the same information in multiple languages and scripts.

We'd like to hear from the MODS implementation community on this issue - what other use cases do you have for which linking between two elements in a single MODS record would be helpful? You can post your suggestions to the MODS list to promote discussion on the issue (preferred!), or send comments to me if you'd prefer not to post publicly.

(We know there are also use cases out there for linking from within a MODS record to an external source - we'll be issuing a call for those some time in the future. Stay tuned!)

Jenn Riley
Chair, MODS/MADS Editorial Committee

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Jenn Riley
Metadata Librarian
Digital Library Program
Indiana University - Bloomington
Wells Library W501
(812) 856-5759
www.dlib.indiana.edu

Inquiring Librarian blog: www.inquiringlibrarian.blogspot.com