introduction to metadata jenn riley metadata librarian iu digital library program
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to Metadata
Jenn Riley
Metadata Librarian
IU Digital Library Program
4/15/08 S504 Spring 2008 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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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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Some uses of metadata
By information specialists 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
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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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Creating metadata
HTML <meta> tags Spreadsheets Databases XML Library catalogs Digital library content management systems
ContentDM Greenstone
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Types of metadata
Descriptive metadata Administrative metadata
Technical metadata Preservation metadata Rights metadata
Structural metadata
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How metadata is used
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Descriptive metadata
Purpose 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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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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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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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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Comparing descriptive metadata formats
MARC[example]
MARCXML[example]
MODS[example]
Dublin Core [DC example]
[QDC example]
Record format
Binary
(ISO 2709)XML XML
RDF, XML, HTML, et al.
Field labels
Numeric Numeric Text Text
Reliance on AACR
Strong 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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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”
Data content standards
Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2)
Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
Cataloging Cultural Objects (CCO)
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Vocabulary encoding schemes
TGM I TGM II TGN GeoNet AAT
LCSH LCNAF DCMI Type MIME Types …etc.
aka, controlled vocabularies
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Syntax encoding schemes
ISO8601 W3CDTF URI …etc.
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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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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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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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Further information
Come back next class! [email protected] These presentation slides:
<http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/~jenlrile/presentations/slis/08spring/s504/s504-1.ppt>
Metadata librarians listserv: <http://metadatalibrarians.monarchos.com>
Priscilla Caplan: Metadata Fundamentals for all Librarians, 2003