Generating MARC with MarcEdit

It has been a trend to harvest metadata from available online resources. Since OAI was adopted by most of data providers, it has facilitated libraries to share metadata . However, sometimes you probably want to integrate a few websites into the library cataloging database, you could do this easily with MarcEdit.

MarcEdit could process the conversion between MARC and XML metadata, it could do the following transformation:

• MARC→ Dublin Core XML
• MARC→ MARCXML

Other conversions could be possible, but the above transformations are commonly used by librarians. Users can also edit those marc records with MarcEdit, and batch load them into your intergrating library system. If users could make use of some macros, the bacth editing will be much easier. People who are intertested in this could look at the sample at Miller Library.

Metadata Harvesting with MarcEdit

Last time, when I harvested DSpace metadata with MarcEdit, it only lasted around 3 minutes. From the test on yesterday, it went well even though I only did a small collection.

It is important to ensure consistent metadata and access to those digital collections, especially during the period of senior seminars. A simple and clear processing manual should be written to train staff or student assistants how to create metadata, publish theses and harvest metadata with MarcEdit. I am also interested in harvesting metadata with other software. I hope I can hear some good news from Claude in Montreal soon!

Presentation at NITLE DSpace User Community Meeting 2008

Harvesting Metadata with MarcEdit Harvester

Last week, I got a chance to harvest some Dublin Core records from DSpace, which is our institutional repository. When the process have gone for 15 seconds, MarcEdit Harvester stopped. I wonder whether DSpace OAI-PMH setup is compilable with MarcEdit Harvester. As far as I know, except Oregon State University Library, I haven't heard that any institutions have successfully harvested metadata with MarcEdit.

It might need more customizations to comply with local needs. I hope I could hear more from other institutions which directly use MarcEdit to harvest metadata. Some commercial XML harvester software now are available. The function of editable configuration file makes the software very promising.

Harvesting Non-Marc Records with MarcEdit

I am still waiting for the information from NITLE. Recently, MarcEdit has updated some new functions, such as macro engine, which could be used to further improve compliance of Marc records customized for local purpose. As long as I get the message from them, I will post how we do the process.

But in the meantime, I would like to pray for victims in China Earthquake, especially those children and teenage directly affected.

Harvesting Non-MARC Records From Institutional Repository

This week, I spend more time on OAI-PMH. I try to figure out what is the best way to harvest the records which we have deposited on DSpace. It seems that some libraries have tried to use software XML Harvester to harvest non-MARC records. This commercial software mostly has been integrated into ILS, and facilitates to harvest and convert Non-MARC records to MARC records.

Free software MarcEdit can also harvest NON-MARC records, but at some point, it has some problems. I am still exploring to make it work at my library. Hopefully, I can post the process later.