MODSrecord

MODSrecord refers to a structured data record based on the Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS), an XML schema developed by the Library of Congress to encode descriptive bibliographic information. MODS provides a middle ground between the simplicity of MARC 21 and the verbosity of full-fledged schemas such as Dublin Core, enabling libraries and digital repositories to publish rich metadata that is both machine‑readable and human‑friendly.

A MODSrecord consists of a series of elements that describe a single resource or component. Core elements include titleInfo, name, typeOfResource, genre, entireResource, abstract, and subject, each of which may contain sub‑elements and attributes to capture variations such as language, script, or qualifier. The schema supports nested structures, allowing for detailed representation of parts, editions, and related items.

MODSrecords are typically produced by bibliographic harvesters, cataloguing systems, or manual input workflows. They can be exchanged via OAI–Pmh (Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting) or directly embedded in web pages using RDFa or JSON‑LD through MODS‑to‑RDF conversion tools. Many libraries publish their collections using MODSrecords to expose metadata to discovery platforms, linked‑data services, and interoperability frameworks.

The schema has evolved through multiple revisions; version 3.3 is the most widely implemented. MODS is compatible with MARC21 migration tools, enabling institutions to convert legacy MARC records into MODS without loss of critical data. As a result, MODSrecords serve as a flexible, extensible basis for bibliographic representation in digital libraries, scholarly repositories, and information services worldwide.