Library Validating Tool for MARC Records, “ValidIt” (22053)
Mistakes sometimes occur as records are entered into a library database. ValidIt is an ActiveX™ dynamic link library (DLL) that inspects library records to ensure that they are structurally sound and contain valid codes.Lacking in today’s systems is a way to inspect the content of records. Many library systems provide a certain level of error-checking, but usually not to the level required by institutions that share records among themselves, or with bibliographic utilities such as “OCLC.” ValidIt is intended to be capable of evaluating all aspects of a “MARC21” record that are susceptible to evaluation by a program. ValidIt provides such inspection by:
assessing a record’s overall structure: tags, indicators and subfield codes evaluating the relationship of elements in different parts of the record testing codes carried in fixed fields and in subfields of variable fields
A distinguishing feature of the method ValidIt uses to check records is that the definition of an acceptable record is not an integral part of the software – the tests are not hard-coded. There are a few built-in tests, but these can be modified or turned off by the user. Most tests, notably those that compare information in different parts of a record, are specified in a set of configuration files. This means that there is no need for a programmer to modify the ValidIt software as the definition of an acceptable record changes; a change to the proper configuration file causes the program to alter its behavior. ValidIt works with records in the MARC21 format for record structure used by today’s library systems, an international standard maintained by the Library of Congress for library record keeping. ValidIt is compatible with any library management system that can input and output records in the MARC21 format. ValidIt can be used in programs that perform batch processing, and in programs that involve direct interaction with an operator.
STATE OF IMPLEMENTATION: ValidIt is incorporated into several programs developed at Northwestern University’s main library, and has been used in production since 1999. The program is supplied with a complete set of configuration files, which allow the program to be incorporated immediately into working programs. The supplied configuration files eliminate a major task, saving a user several weeks of time to otherwise configure files on their own.
Inventor(s): Gary Strawn
Type of Offer: Licensing
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