A Modular Ontology for MODS -- Metadata Object Description Schema

TL;DR

This paper introduces the Modular MODS Ontology (MMODS-O), a semantic framework based on MODS that enhances its usability in knowledge graphs while maintaining backward compatibility.

Contribution

It develops a modular ontology for MODS using MOMo methodology, addressing limitations of the XML schema for knowledge graph integration.

Findings

Successfully maps all MODS elements and attributes to the ontology

Achieves a balance between modularity and backward compatibility

Facilitates integration of bibliographic metadata into knowledge graphs

Abstract

The Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS) was developed to describe bibliographic concepts and metadata and is maintained by the Library of Congress. Its authoritative version is given as an XML schema based on an XML mindset which means that it has significant limitations for use in a knowledge graphs context. We have therefore developed the Modular MODS Ontology (MMODS-O) which incorporates all elements and attributes of the MODS XML schema. In designing the ontology, we adopt the recent Modular Ontology Design Methodology (MOMo) with the intention to strike a balance between modularity and quality ontology design on the one hand, and conservative backward compatibility with MODS on the other.