MAB

MAB is the Maschinelles Austauschformat für Bibliotheken (Automated Library Exchange Format). MAB enables libraries to exchange all data generated within the library context: bibliographic, authority and local data.

MAB2

In the course of expansion and further development of MAB into a standard communication format new requirements emerged with which MAB was not equipped to deal. Thus following a two-year development program the MAB Committee released a new format version known as MAB2.

MAB2 contains all of the substantive, structural and technical modifications required for the application of MAB also as an exchange format in online environments.

MAB2 now comprises five distinct data formats based upon a uniform, integrated field structure applicable for all formats - the Segments 0--

• MAB format for bibliographic data (MAB-TITEL)
• MAB format for personal names (MAB-PND)
• MAB format for corporate body names (MAB-GKD)
• MAB format for subject headings (MAB-SWD)
• MAB format for local data (MAB-LOKAL)

Two provisional MAB formats have also been created:

• MAB format for address and library data (MAB-ADRESS)
• MAB format for classification and notation data (MAB-NOTAT)

Extensions and alterations of the format since the last revised supplement (in May 2002) are part of the MAB format, but not yet included in the MAB ducumentation:

• Extensions and alterations

The MAB Manual contains mandatory rules and numerous examples for the use of the MAB format. Four supplements to the basic edition have been issued yet.

The expert group data formats (formerly MAB Committee), under the auspices of the German National Library, is responsible for the maintenance of the MAB format. The most important German library institutions are represented on the expert group. Requests for changes or additions can be submitted by any user of the MAB format. Minutes of the meetings are available online.

Foreign MARC Field (available only in German)
Mapping FRBR - MAB (available only in German)
FRBRising MAB data (available only in German)
MAB-TITEL in German and English
Representation of Vernacular Script and Transliteration in MAB (available only in German)
Character Set Concordance MAB2 - Unicode / ISO 10646 (available only in German)
Concordant Dublin Core - MAB (available only in German)

MABxml

MABxml is a new exchange format developed by the German National Library. It enables the user the exchange of MAB2 records using a XML structure and therefore is suitable for XML based technologies like OAI, SRW/U and XSLT.

Further information (available only in German)

Mailing List: Datenformate

A mailing list has been set up for users of the MAB format and other bibliographic data formats. Prospective users are asked to contact Reinhold Heuvelmann.