1. Introduction to Metadata
Jenn Riley
Metadata Librarian
IU Digital Library Program

2. Many definitions of metadata
“Data about data”
“Structured information about an information resource of any media type or format.” (Caplan)
“Structured information that describes, explains, locates, or otherwise makes it easier to retrieve, use, or manage an information resource.” (NISO) …
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S504 Summer 2008

3. More definition, in libraries
Structure
Control
Origin
Machine-generated
Human-generated
The difference between data, metadata, and meta-metadata is often one of perspective
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4. Some uses of metadata By information specialists By novices
Describing “non-traditional” materials
Cataloging Web sites
Navigating within digital objects
Managing digital objects over the long term
By novices
Preparing Web sites for search engines
Depositing materials into an institutional repository
Managing citation lists
iTunes
Tagging – flickr, del.icio.us, etc.
LibraryThing
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5. Metadata and cataloging
Depends on what you mean by:
metadata, and
cataloging!
But, in general:
Metadata is broader in scope than cataloging
Much metadata creation takes place outside of libraries
Good metadata practitioners use key cataloging principles in non-MARC environments
Metadata created for many different types of materials
Metadata is NOT only for Internet resources!
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6. Creating metadata HTML <meta> tags Spreadsheets Databases XML
Library catalogs
Digital library/content management systems
ContentDM
DigiTool
DSpace
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7. Types of metadata Descriptive metadata Administrative metadata
Technical metadata
Preservation metadata
Rights metadata
Structural metadata
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8. How metadata is used
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9. Descriptive metadata Purpose Some common general schemas
Discovery
Description to support use and interpretation
Some common general schemas
MARC
MARCXML
MODS
Dublin Core
LOTS of domain-specific schemas
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10. MODS “Metadata Object Description Schema”
Developed and maintained by the Library of Congress Network Development and MARC Standards Office
For encoding bibliographic information
Influenced by MARC, but not equivalent
Quickly gaining adoption
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11. Dublin Core (1) “Core” across all knowledge domains
National and international standard
2001: Released as ANSI/NISO Z39.85
2003: Released as ISO 15836
No element required
All elements repeatable
1:1 principle
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12. Dublin Core (2) Two “flavors”
Unqualified – 15 elements
Qualified
Additional elements
Element refinements
Encoding schemes (vocabulary and syntax)
All qualifiers must follow “dumb-down” principle
Unqualified DC required for sharing metadata via the Open Archives Initiative
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13. DCMI Abstract Model
New direction for the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative
An “information model which is independent of any particular encoding syntax”
RDF-inspired, but not RDF
DCMI resource model
DCMI description set model
DCMI vocabulary model
Full abstract model recommendation
Still too early to really know where this is going
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14. Comparing descriptive metadata formats
MARC
[example]
MARCXML
MODS
Dublin Core [DC example]
[QDC example]
Record format
Binary
(ISO 2709)
XML
RDF, XML, HTML, et al.
Field labels
Numeric
Text
Reliance on AACR
Strong
Implied
None
Common method of creation
By specialists
By derivation
By specialists and by derivation
By novices and by specialists
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15. Levels of control Data structure standards (e.g., MARC)
Data content standards (e.g., AACR2r)
Controlled vocabularies (e.g., LCSH)
Very few metadata standards include a counterpart to the AACR “chief source of information”
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16. Data content standards
Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2)
Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
Cataloging Cultural Objects (CCO)
Also many format-specific guidelines
Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Materials (DCRM) series
Archival Moving Image Materials: A Cataloging Manual
Betz: Graphic Materials …
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17. Vocabulary encoding schemes
aka, controlled vocabularies
TGM I
TGM II
TGN
GeoNet
AAT
LCSH
LCNAF
DCMI Type
MIME Types
…etc.
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18. Syntax encoding schemes
ISO8601
W3CDTF
URI
…etc.
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19. Technical metadata One type of administrative metadata
For recording technical aspects of digital objects
Of use for long-term maintenance of data
Some examples:
NISO Z39.87: Data Dictionary – Technical Metadata for Digital Still Images & MIX
Schema for Technical Metadata for Text
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20. Structural metadata
For creating a logical structure between digital objects
Locating the same intellectual content on multiple representations
Noting points of interest within a single resource
Grouping and sequencing multiple files that make up a logical whole
METS is the current primary schema
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21. How do I pick a metadata format?
Genre/format of materials being described
Nature of holding institution
Use and audience for the metadata
What others in the community are doing
Describing analog vs. digitized item
Relationships between records
Plan for interoperability, including repeatability of elements
More information on handout
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22. Further information jenlrile@indiana.edu
These presentation slides: < 08summer/s504/s504.ppt>
Metadata librarians listserv: <
Priscilla Caplan: Metadata Fundamentals for all Librarians, 2003
8/4/08
S504 Summer 2008