Jenn,
I'm not very familiar with TEMPER, but as far as I know it is the only 
format under consideration that can handle non-Gregorian dates (EDTF 
does not, correct?).  This has been a problem for us for a while, and 
though TEMPER (or any other format) doesn't automatically solve problems 
of interoperability with other calendars that may arise, having a way to 
encode the data would certainly be a start.
-Jon

Jon Stroop
Metadata Analyst
C-17-D2 Firestone Library
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ 08544

Email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: (609)258-0059
Fax: (609)258-0441

http://diglib.princeton.edu
http://diglib.princeton.edu/ead



Riley, Jenn wrote:
> Dear MODS implementers:
>
> There is a proposal in front of the MODS/MADS Editorial Committee to add the EDTF date format <http://www.loc.gov/standards/datetime/> to the list of values for the encoding attribute in the MODS date elements. This has led the Editorial Committee to think about other date formats used in our community that MODS might need to implement. One that comes to mind is the TEMPER spec (<http://www.cdlib.org/inside/diglib/ark/temperspec.pdf>, <http://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-kunze-temper-01>). We understand some revision/maintenance of TEMPER is happening, although not very publicly so it is a bit unclear at this time if institutions are considering TEMPER a viable date format to use. Are any MODS implementers using TEMPER at this time or have plans to? Is it necessary or desirable for MODS to add "temper" as a value for the encoding attribute on date elements?
>
> Thank you,
> Jenn Riley on behalf of the MODS/MADS Editorial Committee
>
> ========================
> 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
>