def testXMLValue(val, attrib=False):
    """

    Test that the XML value exists, return val.text, else return None

    Parameters
    ----------

    - val: the value to be tested

    """
    if val is not None:
        if attrib:
            return val.strip()
        elif val.text:
            return val.text.strip()
        else:
            return None
    else:
        return None
