1. Creating Geospatial Metadata for the Long-term
Lynda Wayne
Federal Geographic Data Committee
Geospatial One-Stop
GeoMaxim

2. Metadata… again?
Metadata has long been promoted by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), state GIS coordinators, and project managers as a means to:
preserve organizational data investments
instill data accountability and liability
facilitate data sharing.

3. The Times They are a Changin’
International metadata standard
ISO ANSI
transitional process
guidance documents and presentations
tools under development
stay the course (CSDGM)
all shall be well…

4. The Times They are a Changin’
Geospatial One-Stop
one of 19 federal e-gov initiatives
Portal to:
NSDI Clearinghouse
other metadata servers
web map applications
geospatial research and related information

5. Metadata: official language for the geospatial community
data discovery and clearinghouse operations
data exchange and use
data management
ESRI ArcCatalog
Intergraph SMMS
quality metadata is operational metadata…

6. GIS Internal Metadata GIS tools enable data management via metadata:
search for existing, in-house data products
track updates, relates and other operations
auto populate dataset properties
preview data geography and dbase
build templates for fixed descriptive info
maintain multilevel metadata
metadata is the fuel for data management…

7. Go Beyond the Minimum
CSDGM mandatory elements are those common to all data types and organizations not most critical
value of metadata is to capture that which is unique
time spent early, saves time spent later

8. Create Templates Boilerplate your metadata:
identify all pertinent fields
provide content for fixed fields such as:
Use_Constraints
Contacts
Process Methodologies
Distribution Methods and Liability
create organization, theme, and project templates

9. Links to Services and Data
Online_Linkage is a repeatable field
provide multiple links to:
data download
data clearinghouse
webmapping applications and services
enable users to locate data and related services…

10. ISO Topic Categories as Keywords
select one or more categories to aid in data search and discovery (see handout)
boundaries oceans health
transportation economy society
elevation farming location
biota structure
geoscientificInformation environment
utilitiesCommunication inlandWaters
planningCadastre intelligenceMilitary
imageryBaseMapsEarthCover
climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere

11. ISO Topic Categories as Keywords
aids translation to ISO metadata
data can sort into geodata.gov ‘channels’

12. Document Planned Data Acquisitions
promotes data development partnering
required of federal agencies
$1 million current
$500,000 next fiscal year
geodata.gov
‘Status’ provided as a data search element
calls for partnerships can be featured within Channels

13. Publish or Perish… geodata.gov
Metadata Harvest
Register node/service at geodata.gov
metadata will be regularly harvested & updated
harvest counselor program
Metadata Upload
register and upload at geodata.gov
Metadata Online Creation
online tool at geodata.gov for bare metadata creation

14. Visit geodata.gov search for geospatial data and applications
access, compile & download data from different sources
seek out data development partnerships
create and upload metadata
join a thematic Channel Community

15. Better Content = Better Performance
Robust and accurate metadata enables new functionality:
entity attribute descriptions yield feature-level metadata
accurate dates facilitate data currency reviews
detailed source tracking supports cost benefit analysis
detailed process descriptions enable repeatable methodologies
valid accuracy statements enable fitness for use assessments
metadata management is a GIS best practice

16. Quality Content large data sets require a metadata strategy
consider Originator as responsible party
a Title is not a filename
the Abstract summarizes the metadata
USE Supplemental_Information
make Use_Constraints meaningful
consider Entity/Attribute Detailed_Description as an opportunity to document your dbase
see handout ‘Metadata Quick Guide’

17. More Information www.geodata.gov www.fgdc.gov/metadata
Sharon Shin, FGDC Metadata Coordinator
Lynda Wayne, NSDI Implementation Liaison

18. Question?
What is your next step in implementing or enhancing metadata creation within your organization?