Repeatable MODS form fields

Owned by
Garrett, Chad G
Last updated: Nov 14, 2022 by
MM Hanke
1 min read

Please refer to the UT Libraries Metadata Documentation for guidelines and templates: UT Libraries Metadata Documentation

Digital Asset Level

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    Contributor — REQUIRED REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <name>

    Short definition: Person, organization, or event (conference, meeting, etc.) associated in some way with the resource.

    Input guidelines: At least one contributor name or "no attribution" statement required. Multiple Contributors can be added to an asset's metadata. Designate a primary contributor, even if only one contributor is entered. If one contributor has multiple roles, repeat entire Contributor section with new role term. To input name and type, use authority list of names (NAF, VIAF, or local authority). If no authority is available for personal names, input Last Name, First Name. For local authorities, enter authority URI with a description of the authority file. For role terms, input MARC 21 Relator terms (not codes), ULAN terms or local authority terms.
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    Description — REQUIRED REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <abstract>

    Short definition: A summary of the content of the resource.

    Input guidelines: Can include an abstract, table of contents, or account of described resource. This element provides end users with information about the digital resource that assists them in making a judgment about its likely usefulness, and also provides context, if needed, for controlled vocabulary used in the record. When creating a MODS record for a digital surrogate, record a summary of the content of the original resource. If only a portion of the resource was digitized, summarize only that portion. Do not include raw OCR output or full-text transcription of a textual or linguistic resource. At least one “eng” entry is required. Enter the appropriate three-letter language code from ISO-639-3 language codes. The use of a content standard of choice is strongly recommended. Follow your unit/collection guidelines per Supervisor/Collection Owner.
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    Digital Collection — REPEATABLE

    MODS Element name: <relatedItem type="host" displayLabel="Digital collection">

    Short definition: Digital collection/s in the DAMS or other access systems to which the asset belongs. Distinct from Source Collection.

    Input guidelines: Input name, identifier, and/or URL of digital collections to which the asset belongs, such as those in other access systems. If you enter information about a collection to which an asset belongs as Source Collection, do not duplicate this information here.

    Do not enter information about an asset's parent collection in the DAMS.

    Information about the DAMS parent collection of an asset is automatically added upon ingest.
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    Form or Medium — REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <physicalDescription><form>

    Short definition: A designation of a particular physical presentation of a resource, including the physical form or medium of material for a resource.

    Input guidelines: Characterize the form of the digitized or analog original using terms describing the material, support, or technique. Use authority control, e.g. AAT, TGM, LCGFT or locally controlled vocabularies. This field/element set is not used to describe the content of a resource. Use the Genre and/or Type of Resource elements to describe the content of the resource. If you do not use a controlled vocabulary, check the Type facet on the Collections portal to avoid spelling variants for uncontrolled terms.
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    Genre — REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <genre>

    Short definition: A term or phrase that designates a category characterizing a particular style, form, or content, such as artistic, musical, cinematic, literary composition, etc.

    Input guidelines: Describe the content of the resource (e.g.; daguerreotypes, short films, portraits). Use the Form/Medium field set to characterize the physical form of the resource itself. Designate a primary genre, even if only one genre is entered. Use authority control and enter term from a recommended vocabulary: Art & Architecture Thesaurus, Thesaurus for Graphic Materials, Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms, Library of Congress Subject Headings.
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    Identifier — REPEATABLE

    MODS Element name: <identifier>

    Short definition: Contains a unique standard number or code that distinctively identifies a resource.

    Input guidelines: Input one identifier per text field/element and designate the corresponding identifier type. Currently, the following identifier types are supported by the DAMS:

    • URI: Persistent identifier in the form of typically a URL (e.g. DOI/Handle, ARK, URN). A URI may or may not be resolvable.
    • PID: Persistent identifier that is not in the form of a URI
    • OCLC Source: OCLC number referring to a catalog entry describing the original work, e.g. the physical original of a digitized work
    • OCLC Surrogate: OCLC number referring to the catalog entry describing a digital copy of a work (if such a catalog entry exists)
    • Local: Any identifier string for local use, e.g. call number, file names or tape vault numbers.

    Follow your unit/collection guidelines per Supervisor/Collection Owner for local identifiers.

    The following identifier element type values are reserved for identifiers that are automatically created by the DAMS upon ingest of an asset:

    • utldamsURI
    • utldamsPID
    • fileName

    Do not remove, alter or overwrite these identifiers. Do not use the reserved identifier type values when preparing your own metadata outside of the DAMS.

    For more information see the following documentation page: Identifier (autogenerated).
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    Language — REQUIRED REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <language>

    Short definition: A designation of the language in which the content of a resource is expressed.

    Input guidelines: Enter the full (English) language name in the Language Name text field, as found in the list of language Reference Names provided by SIL: https://iso639-3.sil.org/code_tables/download_tables. Capitalize the first letter of the name. If the asset does not contain linguistic content, enter "not applicable" (no capitalization). In the Language Code field, indicate the language of the resource by entering the appropriate three-letter language code from ISO-639-3 language codes. If the language name is given as 'not applicable' (the asset does not contain linguistic content), use code 'zxx'.
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    MODS Language of Cataloging — REQUIRED REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <recordInfo><languageOfCataloging>

    Short definition: The language of the text of the cataloging in the MODS record.

    Input guidelines: Indicate the language of the text of the cataloging by entering the appropriate three-letter language code from ISO-639-2b language codes.  Designate a primary language, even if only one language is entered.
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    MODS Record Content Source — REQUIRED REPEATABLE

    MODS Element name: <recordInfo><recordContentSource>

    Short definition: Name of the organization, unit or entity that either created or modified the original metadata record.

    Input guidelines: Default is University of Texas Libraries. Replace as needed. The name or code should be pulled from an authoritative list and indicated in the authority and authorityURI attribute. This field/element should be repeated for each code or name recorded.
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    MODS Record Origin Statements — REPEATABLE 

    MODS Element name: <recordInfo><recordOrigin>

    Short definition: Information about the origin or provenance of the MODS record.

    Input guidelines: Use to record information about the origin, or provenance of the MODS record including what methods were used to prepare the MODS record (machine generated or human prepared) and what transformations have been applied (e.g., the result of converting an existing MARC 21 record to MARCXML and to MODS). Follow your unit/collection guidelines per Supervisor/Collection Owner.
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    Note — REPEATABLE

    MODS Element name: <note>

    Short definition: General textual information relating to a resource.

    Input guidelines: Select one of the pre-specified note types from the dropdown field. The following note types are currently available:

    Notes displayed on the Collections portal (public)

    • citation: Input standardized citations that may be valuable for users. Note that Collections portal will automatically generate some citation formats.
    • condition: Input statement about the original asset's condition. Apply content standards like RDA, DCRM or DACS to record information about an item's condition.
    • date captured: Input capture/recording/digitization dates. Input only the date in structured format YYYY-MM-DD. To record time intervals, append a forward slash ('/') to the start date of the interval, followed by the end date of the interval, without spaces between dates and separator (example: 2012-05-29/2012-05-31). If only part of a date is known, enter year and month only (YYYY-MM) or year only (YYYY).
    • date other: Input other dates of interest. Input only the date in structured format YYYY-MM-DD. To record time intervals, append a forward slash ('/') to the start date of the interval, followed by the end date of the interval, without spaces between dates and separator (example: 2012-05-29/2012-05-31). If only part of a date is known, enter year and month only (YYYY-MM) or year only (YYYY).

    • general (default): Input notes intended for public display on front end and not accommodated by other elements or note types.

      Template note text available for assets where only metadata is published to the Collections Portal and for redacted assets: Metadata text templates

    • origin: Input details about asset origin/provenance not adequately captured elsewhere. Apply content standards like RDA, DCRM or DACS to record information about origin/provenance.
    • scale: Input scale for non-cartographic resources (as opposed to values in Subject-Cartographics fields).

    Notes not displayed on the Collections portal (internal)

    • description: Input descriptive information not intended/suitable for public display. Enter descriptive information intended for the public in the Description form field.
    • date issued: Input publication/dissemination dates. Input only the date in structured format YYYY-MM-DD. To record time intervals, append a forward slash ('/') to the start date of the interval, followed by the end date of the interval, without spaces between dates and separator (example: 2012-05-29/2012-05-31). If only part of a date is known, enter year and month only (YYYY-MM) or year only (YYYY).

    • file path: Input file reference to aid location of related files in separate storage systems.

      It is best practice to reference the tape vault location of the original presentation grade file ingested into the DAMS.

    • merged: Input indication that asset is the result of merging various parts into one (e.g., piecemeal scans of oversize material).
    • UTL GeoData ID (utlGeoDataID): Enter GeoData ID for content that might also be ingested into the GeoData portal. See detailed instructions on adding map content.
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    Place of Publication or Origin — REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <originInfo><place>

    Short definition: Name of a place associated with the issuing, publication, release, distribution, manufacture, production, or origin of a resource.

    Input guidelines: Refer to content standards like RDA or DACS to determine which places to input. Indicate the language of the Place by entering the appropriate three-letter language code from ISO-639-3 language codes. Designate a primary place, even if only one place is entered.
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    Publisher — REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <originInfo><publisher>

    Short definition: The name of the entity that published, printed, distributed, released, issued, or produced the resource, or a statement about publication/origin.

    Input guidelines: Input a named entity determined to be the publisher/originator for a resource or a statement about publication/origin. Descriptive standards such as RDA or DACS should be used to format the name of the publisher.
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    Related Resource — REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <relatedItem type="host" displayLabel="Parent work"> or <relatedItem type="series"> or <relatedItem> (no attributes)

    Short definition: Information that identifies other resources related to the one being described, excluding information entered for Source collection or Digital collection.

    Input guidelines: Enter information that identifies other resources related to the one being described. Identify parent works, series that the asset is a part of, or other general related resources that aren't otherwise captured by Digital Collection or Source Collection fields.

    Do not enter information about an asset's parent collection in the DAMS.

    Information about the DAMS parent collection of an asset is automatically added upon ingest.
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    Subject: Cartographics — REPEATABLE

    MODS Element name: <subject><cartographics>

    Short definition: Cartographic (maps or charts) data indicating spatial coverage.

    Input guidelines: Fill out all cartographic subelements or leave all blank. Use to record scale (e.g. 1:25,000), projection, and/or coordinates. You may record: "not drawn to scale", "scales differ", or "no projection statement" in these fields.

    Do not enter scales for non-cartographic materials in this subelement.

    Add scales for non-cartographic materials in a Note filed of type "scale" instead.
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    Subject: Geographic Code — REPEATABLE

    MODS Element name: <subject><geographicCode>

    Short definition: A geographic area code associated with a resource.

    Input guidelines: A geographic code that represents the same entity as a term in the Geographic Term form field. Enter appropriate Alpha-3 code from the directory of ISO-3166 standard country codes.
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    Subject: Geographic Term — REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <subject><geographic>

    Short definition: General geographic term that represents the primary topic on which the resource is focused.

    Input guidelines: One geographic term must be designated as primary for display/browse and/or citation purposes. Indicate the language of the geographic term by entering the appropriate three-letter language code from ISO-639-3 language codes. At least one English ("eng") entry is required.
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    Subject: Hierarchical Geographic Terms — REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <subject><hierarchicalGeographic>

    Short definition: A geographic name given in a hierarchical form relating to the resource.

    Input guidelines: Use geographic name terms that are as specific as necessary or appropriate. First order political divisions may have different terms depending on the country. It is recommended to provide geographic terms that fall above the most specific term in the hierarchy (i.e. referring to larger geographic entities), to avoid ambiguity and to facilitate search and browsing.

    In general, use the term(s) most commonly used in the original language or its translation for a geographic entity. Form fields in a fieldset must be input in the same language.

    The following hierarchy levels are currently available in the DAMS:

    • country: Name of a country, i.e. a political entity considered a country.
    • region: Includes regions that have status as a jurisdiction, as well as regions incorporating more than one first level jurisdiction (e.g. Middle East).
    • state: Includes first order political divisions called states within a country, e.g. in U.S., Argentina, Italy. Use also for French départements.
    • territory: Name of a geographical area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a governmental authority.
    • county: Name of the largest local administrative unit in various countries.
    • city: Name of an inhabited place incorporated as a city, town, etc.
    • city section: Name of a smaller unit within a populated place, e.g., neighborhood, city or local park, street, street address, zip/postal code, census tract number, or district.
    • area: Names of non-jurisdictional geographic entities. Use area for continents, islands (a tract of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent but not itself a separate country), and extraterrestrial areas (any extraterrestrial entity or space, including solar systems, galaxies, star systems, planets and geographic features of individual planets). Area may be used for terms that do not fit neatly into other designations in this hierarchy.

    The Place Name facet on the start page of the Collections portal is generated from entries in the Subject: Geographic Term form field/<geographic> element.

    If you want to create a Place Name facet for an asset you are describing, copy one or more terms from the hierarchical description into the Geographic Term field/element.
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    Subject: Temporal Coverage — REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <subject><temporal>

    Short definition: The time period, date, or date range the content of the resource is about.

    Input guidelines: Temporal Coverage may be expressed as a controlled subject term or as a structured date. Enter a named time period (Elizabethan), date (YYYY-MM-DD), or date range (YYYY/YYYY, YYYY-YYYY, YYYY to YYYY). Recommended authorities are AAT, LCSH and PeriodO. Input dates in structured format YYYY-MM-DD. If only part of a date is known, enter year and month only (YYYY-MM) or year only (YYYY). To record time intervals, preferably append a forward slash ('/') to the start date of the interval, followed by the end date of the interval, without spaces between dates and separator (example: 2012-05-29/2012-05-31).
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    Subject: Topic — REQUIRED REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element name: <subject><topic>

    Short definition: Topic the described resource is about.

    Input guidelines: At least one English topic term required. Use authority control if appropriate. If you do not use a controlled vocabulary, check the Topic facet on the Collections portal to avoid spelling variants for uncontrolled terms. Follow your unit/collection guidelines.
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    Title — REQUIRED REPEATABLE MULTILINGUAL

    MODS Element: <titleInfo>

    Short definition: Name given to the resource to be described.

    Input guidelines: At least one Title with language attribute is required. Designate a primary title, even if only one title is entered. Variants of a Titles can be added to an asset's metadata, e.g. a translated title, alternative titles or uniform (authority-controlled) title forms. If entering additional titles, pay close attention to fields Title Type, Primary Title, and Authority. Input the title as it appears on the piece. Refer to content standards like CCO, RDA, DACS, or DCRM(x). For objects that don't have a title on the piece, provide a concise title that will assist end users in deciding whether to investigate a resource further. Otherwise, "primary title not available" will display in the DAMS. The subtitle may be included as part of the title or in an optional subtitle field to store and display the information as a separate element.

    Title type is optional but recommended if applicable:

    • Uniform title: A title or form of title that is chosen to identify a work and is an authorized access point representing the work.   For uniform titles, indicate authority NAF or VIAF in the authority field.

    • Alternative title: Varying forms of title associated with the item, whether or not the title is on the piece.

    • Translated title: A title that has been translated into a different language. 

    Indicate the language of the title by entering the appropriate three-letter language code from ISO-639-2 language codes.

Collection Level

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