The MODS/MADS Editorial Committee and the Library of Congress are pleased to announce a new version of the Metadata Authority and Description Schema, MADS version 2.0. This is the first major revision of MADS since its initial release in 2005.
MADS web site: <http://www.loc.gov/standards/mads>
MADS schema version 2.0: <http://www.loc.gov/standards/mads/mads.xsd>

Major changes in MADS 2.0 are:

    * Elimination of dependence on the MODS schema
    * Updated elements that are the same in MODS to reflect version 3 (e.g. added additional subelements under hierarchicalGeographic, added descriptionStandard under recordInfo)
    * Addition of authority URI and value URI for controlled lists
    * Addition of <classification> and <language> elements
    * Addition of an otherType attribute on <related> for relationship types not enumerated in the schema
    * Ability to specify if a subject heading can be subdivided geographically

A complete list of changes in MADS 2.0 may be found at <http://www.loc.gov/standards/mads/changes-2-0.html>. MADS user guidelines are under development and will be made available soon.

Please direct any comments or questions on the MADS 2.0 Schema, or MODS/MADS developments in general, to the MODS Listserv <http://listserv.loc.gov/listarch/mods.html>.

Rebecca

Rebecca S. Guenther
Senior Networking and Standards Specialist
Network Development and MARC Standards Office
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SE
Washington, DC 20540
+1 202 707 5092 (voice)
+1 202 707 0115 (fax)
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