Standards (The Library of Congress)

Resource Description Formats

MARC 21 formats - Representation and communication of descriptive metadata about information items
MARCXML - MARC 21 data in an XML structure
MODS (Metadata Object Description Standard) - XML markup for selected metadata from existing MARC 21 records as well as original resource description
MADS (Metadata Authority Description Standard) - XML markup for selected authority data from MARC21 records as well as original authority data
EAD (Encoded Archival Description) - XML markup designed for encoding finding aids

Digital Library Standards

METS (Metadata Encoding & Transmission Standard) - Structure for encoding descriptive, administrative, and structural metadata
MIX (NISO Metadata for Images in XML) - XML schema for encoding technical data elements required to manage digital image collections
PREMIS (Preservation Metadata) - A data dictionary and supporting XML schemas for core preservation metadata needed to support the long-term preservation of digital materials.
TextMD (Technical Metadata for Text) - XML schema that details technical metadata for text-based digital objects.
ISO/DIS 25577 - Information and documentation -- MarcXchange.
ISO 20775 - Schema for Holdings Information.

Information Resource Retrieval Protocols

Z39.50 - Supports information retrieval among different information systems
SRU/SRW (Search and Retrieve URL/Web Service) - Web services for search and retrieval based on Z39.50 semantics
CQL (Contextual Query Language) - Formal, user-friendly query language for use between information retrieval systems

Standards in Progress

Metadata for Digital Content: Developing institutional policies and standards at the Library of Congress

Current Highlights

- TextMD schema now maintained by the Library

Related National and International Standards Organizations

National Information Standards Organization (NISO): NISO is an ANSI-accredited organization that develops standards specifically for the library, information services, and publishing sectors.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI): ANSI is the organization that facilitates development of American National Standards (ANSs) by establishing consensus among qualified groups.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO): ISO is the standards body that establishes standards for the international exchange of goods and services.
ISO/TC46/SC4: Subcommittee 4 develops standards for computer applications in ISO Technical Committee 46, Information and Documentation.
ISO/TC46/SC9: Subcommittee 9 develops standards for presentation, identification, and description of documents in ISO Technical Committee 46, Information and Documentation.