Where can librarians turn for an introductory guide to XML that stands out from all the others: one that provides guidance in the clearest, most user-friendly fashion and addresses libraries’ specialized needs? Now, Using XML: A How-To-Do-It Manual and CD-ROM for Librarians, to be published by Neal-Schuman Publishers on August 1, 2007, walks librarians step-by-step through learning XML.

In his preface to the book, author Kwong Bor Ng writes, “Learning XML is not difficult, but you must start with the proper tools” – and that is just what Ng provides in this practical how-to. Ng begins with a basic explanation of the language. He then details its primary library applications: text collection encoding, automation, digital libraries, technical services, and more.

Ng teaches librarians XML from the ground-up. “Basic XML Techniques” familiarizes librarians with creating and organizing an XML document, fine-tuning the document with special characters, viewing it by using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and displaying it on the Web.

“Intermediate XML Techniques” explains Document Type Definition (DTD, which identifies the grammar and specifies a structure for an XML document), introduces MARC DTD, identifies ways to correct a format’s weakness and also teaches use of the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set (DCMES).

“Advanced XML Techniques” takes librarians to the top level of XML using schema language and Extensible Stylesheet Language as well as converting documents from DTD and delivering them through the Web.

Accompanying each level of instruction, Using XML is chock-full of practical, detailed exercises. A bonus CD-ROM reproduces every exercise so librarians can compare their work chapter-by-chapter and make sure the documents they create are displaying properly.

This how-to is a must-have for technical service, metadata, and system librarians and Webmasters wishing to put XML to work in their libraries.

Using XML: A How-To-Do-It Manual and CD-ROM for Librarians

978-1-55570-567-1. 2007. 81/2 X 11. 175 pp. Book and CD-ROM: $85.00

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kwong Bor NG (Ph.D) is an associate professor at the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies at Queens College, CUNY. He teaches courses on XML, information visualization, database construction, as well as cataloging and classification.