XML 101 For Librarians: Syllabus

Madison, Wisconsin, March 7^th and 8^th, 2002

David Seaman
Director, Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library

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OVERVIEW

This course is designed for a library and publishing audience. It will provide a wide-ranging and practical exploration of XML-based electronic texts and related technologies (including ebook formats and Print On Demand).

SYLLABUS

This syllabus outlines the major subjects for each day. The second morning will start with a brief review and reminder of the salient features of the previous day.

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Day One (March 7th 2002)

am:

Introductions
A Practical Introduction to HTML, SGML and XML, with all mysterious terminology and concepts revealed. How does XML data work in a library? How does tagging and metadata get done? What are the range of possibilities for using the resulting files?

pm:

Using the Text Encoding Initiative Tagset (TEI): Data control and MARC interchange
Another form of XML: the Encoded Archival Descriptions DTD
Ebook technologies.

Day Two (March 8th 2002)

am:

A practical "hands-on" session, applying what was learned in Day One to add XML tags to some sample documents, and to look at tools for markup, display, and conversion of XML texts.

pm:

SGML/XML as an interchange format -- making good on the "Build Once/Use Many" promise: XML source files output options, including web use; ebooks; Palm Pilot; WAP; PDF; and Print On Demand.
Summary and review.