Element: <physicalDescription>
| Element | <physicalDescription> |
|---|---|
| Definition | Physical characteristics of the resource. |
| Attributes |
Common: Language-related: lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration Linking: ID; IDREF; xlink:href; altRepGroup Miscellaneous: displayLabel Specific: None |
| Subelements | <form> <reformattingQuality> <internetMediaType> <extent> <digitalOrigin> <note> |
| Examples | EXAMPLES |
| Mappings | MAPPINGS |
Guidelines for Use
Subelement: <form>
| Definition | A particular physical presentation of a resource, including the physical form or medium of material for a resource. |
|---|---|
| Attributes | Common: Authority: authority; authorityURI; valueURI Language-related: lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration Specific: type |
| Subelements | None |
Guidelines for Use
Record the form of the digitized and analog original resources if such information will be useful. The <form> element should be used to characterize the format of the resource itself, not its content (use <genre> to characterize its for content) Either a term from a controlled vocabulary, or free text, may be used.
Specific Attribute Information
type
<form type="technique" valueURI="http://vocab.getty.edu/aat/300054216">painting (image-making)</form>
Subelement: <reformattingQuality>
| Definition | An overall assessment of the intended use, limitations, and quality of an electronic resource. |
|---|---|
| Attributes | None |
| Subelements | None |
Guidelines for Use
If the resource serves more than one purpose, the element may be repeated.
The following values may be used:
- access – The electronic resource is intended to support current electronic access to the original item (i.e., reference use), but is not sufficient to serve as a preservation copy.
- preservation – The electronic resource was created via reformatting to help preserve the original item. The capture and storage techniques ensure high-quality, long-term protection.
- replacement – The electronic resource is of high enough quality to serve as a replacement if the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed.
Subelement: <internetMediaType>
| Definition | The electronic format type, or the data representation, of the resource. |
|---|---|
| Attributes | Common: Language-related: lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration Specific: None |
| Subelements | None |
Guidelines for Use
<internetMediaType> specifies the electronic format type, such as text/html, ASCII, PDF, executable application, or JPEG image. The value is generally taken from a controlled list, especially from the Internet Media types (MIME types).
If a digital resource comprises multiple file types (for example, a diary that has been imaged and a text transcription made available), use a separate <internetMediaType> subelement for each.
The element may also include local x-types.
Subelement: <extent>
| Definition | A statement about the physical extent of the resource, in terms of units of measurement and material. |
|---|---|
| Attributes | Common: Language-related: lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration Miscellaneous: supplied Specific: unit |
| Subelements | None |
Guidelines for Use
<extent> may be used with electronic resources, e.g. for digitized collection of slides, to show how many slides constitute the resource.
Specific Attribute Information
unit
Subelement: <digitalOrigin>
| Definition | The method by which the resource achieved digital form. |
|---|---|
| Attributes | None |
| Subelements | None |
Guidelines for Use
The following values may be used:
- born digital – A resource was created in digital form and is intended to remain in digital form.
- reformatted digital – A resource that was created by digitizing an original analog resource.
- digitized microfilm – A resource that was created by digitizing a microform.
- digitized other analog – A resource that was created by digitizing a non-original, second-generation type analog resource, such as a photocopy.
Subelement: <note>
| Definition | General textual information about the physical description of a resource. |
|---|---|
| Attributes | Common: Language-related: lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration Linking: ID; IDREF; xlink:href Miscellaneous: displayLabel; typeURI Specific: type |
| Subelements | None |
Guidelines for Use
Use for information relating to the physical description of a resource that does not fit in one of the other available subelements. Documentation on material and technique used for works of art and similar materials may be recorded here.
A link may be supplied (via XLink) in lieu of or in addition to the <note> content.
<note> may be repeated.
Specific Attribute Information
type
EXAMPLES
<note displayLabel="Location within resource">Between entry for April 7 and April 19, 1843</note>
<extent>ill., music ; 26 cm</extent>
<reformattingQuality>replacement</reformattingQuality>
For a digitized photograph:
<form authority="marcform">electronic</form>
<reformattingQuality>access</reformattingQuality>
<internetMediaType>image/jpeg</internetMediaType>
<extent>1 photograph</extent>
<digitalOrigin>reformatted digital</digitalOrigin>
For a diary that has been imaged and for which a text transcription has been made:
<form authority="marcform">print</form>
<internetMediaType>image/jpeg</internetMediaType>
<internetMediaType>text/xml</internetMediaType>
<extent>177 p.</extent>
<digitalOrigin>reformatted digital</digitalOrigin>
For a learning web site:
<internetMediaType>image/jpeg</internetMediaType>
<internetMediaType>text/html</internetMediaType>
<extent>5 digital files</extent>
<digitalOrigin>born digital</digitalOrigin>
MAPPINGS
MARC Mapping (Bibliographic)
See MARC Mapping to MODS for the <physicalDescription> element.
Dublin Core Mapping
See MODS to Dublin Core Metadata Element Set Mapping.
Last Updated: October 28, 2022