MDA Delivers SPECTRUM XML Schema
7th Dec, 2007
MDA has announced the production of a revised SPECTRUM XML schema, designed to help museums and other cultural organisations exchange information about their collections.
Based on the revised SPECTRUM 3.1 standard, published in March this year, the schema has been developed by MDA in partnership with leading sector expert Richard Light and provides:
- A standard format for exchanging object records between different Collections Management Systems;
- Support for Rights Management;
- Support for the exchange of User Generated Interpretation through the Revisiting Collections methodology.
Gordon McKenna, MDA Standards and Systems Manager, commented, 'The publication of the revised SPECTRUM XML Schema marks a significant step forward for SPECTRUM as the UK and international Collections Management standard. It represents a comprehensive update on the previous schema, published in 2001, and will support the next generation of services delivering online access to collections.'
The Schema, which is focussed on the exchange of object records, is the first step in the development of a SPECTRUM Standards Framework, designed to promote greater collaboration and information sharing between museums, archives, libraries and other cultural organisations. Further information about the SPECTRUM Standards Framework will be made available in the New Year.
The revised SPECTRUM XML Schema is available from www.mda.org.uk/schema
Notes for Editors
MDA is the UK focus for expertise and best practice in Collections Management. MDA publishes SPECTRUM, the UK and international standard for Collections Management on behalf of the culture sector. SPECTRUM is an open standard developed and maintained by the community and available free of charge from www.mda.org.uk/spectrum
The revised SPECTRUM XML Schema 3.1 is an update from the Schema 1.5 (the numbering has been updated to keep in line with the current version of SPECTRUM). The Schema is available for beta implementation and evaluation from the MDA website. A stable release of the Schema will be issued in the New Year.
To interview Gordon McKenna, or to obtain additional information about the work of MDA and the role of SPECTRUM in the international community, contact Eleanor Lovegrove on 01223 310 377.
MDA is funded in England by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), in Scotland by the Scottish Museums Council and in Wales by CyMAL through the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales.
