3 - Intro to Metadata

Metadata

“Data about data”; details, information, or descriptors about other data. Applies to information resources, people, groups, or entities.

Examples of Metadata

Birth Certificate, Certificate of Death, Curriculum Vitae, Resume.

3 Broad Types of Metadata

Administrative, Descriptive, Structural (boundaries are not fixed or standardized).

Administrative Metadata

Metadata used for management of resources (e.g., location of resource, date of acquisition).

Descriptive Metadata

Describes the appearance and content of a resource (title, physical description, size, pages, bibliography, index).

Structural Metadata

Describes internal structure so users/programs can access or manipulate content (e.g., EPUB readers, PDF editors).

Metadata Encoding & Transmission Standard (METS)

Structural metadata standard for encoding complex digital objects into a single document; includes descriptive and administrative elements.

Preservation Metadata

Metadata for long-term storage and usability of digital content (e.g., VHS converted to DVD, preservation treatments).

Meta-Metadata

“Data about data about data”; ensures accuracy, authenticity, and management of metadata.

Metadata Schema

Set of metadata elements designed for specific community needs.

Metadata Element

Individual field/category holding discrete pieces of a resource description (e.g., title, creator).

Semantics

Meaning of metadata elements within a schema.

Syntax

Encoding format of metadata (e.g., MARC format).

Structure (Schema Characteristic)

Data model shaping how metadata statements are expressed.

Schema

Framework used to determine metadata for a resource (e.g., APA schema).

Interoperability

Ability to access/use information across multiple platforms or systems; achieved via standard schemas (e.g., MARC).

Standard Schema

Supporting interoperability of bibliographic data.

Flexibility

Allows users to choose only necessary metadata elements.

Extensibility

Allows addition of new elements/qualifiers to meet community needs.

Qualifiers

Refine or narrow metadata elements (e.g., subtitle under title).

Level of Granularity

Degree of depth/detail in metadata description.

Application Profiles

Combine elements from multiple schemas; specify which metadata elements are used in a community.

Metadata Registry

Database that stores and manages metadata schemas.

Open Metadata Registry

Widely known registry for organizing and sharing metadata schemas.

Crosswalks

Tools mapping equivalent elements across schemas for system conversion.

Metadata Models

Conceptual descriptions used to visualize systems and relationships.

Functional Requirements Family of Standards

Set of conceptual models describing bibliographic and authority data relationships.

Records in Context (RiC)

Conceptual archival model reconciling multiple archival standards.

Conceptual Reference Model (CRM)

Ontology developed to improve cultural heritage information exchange.

DCMI Abstract Model (DCAM)

Conceptual model of metadata independent of encoding or semantics.

Resource Description Framework (RDF)

Web standard model for structured data interchange.

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

Organization that developed FRBR and related models.

Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR)

Conceptual entity-relationship model of bibliographic universe.

FRBR User Tasks

Find, Identify, Select, Obtain, Navigate.

Functional Requirements for Authority Data (FRAD)

Model focused on authority data and authority control.

Functional Requirements for Subject Authority Data (FRSAD)

Model focused on subject relationships in bibliographic universe.

IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM)

Harmonized model integrating FRBR, FRAD, and FRSAD.

Expert Group on Archival Description (EGAD)

Group that developed Records in Contexts (RiC).

International Committee on Documentation (CIDOC)

Developed the Conceptual Reference Model (CRM).

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Developed the Resource Description Framework (RDF).

Warwick Framework

Model influencing Dublin Core and early RDF development.

Second Dublin Core Metadata Workshop

Event that influenced development of Dublin Core and RDF.

Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI)

Organization that published the DCMI Abstract Model.