Metadata

Metadata is defined as data about data. It provides content information that is needed for the description and categorization of media. Also, metadata provides a crucial link between media and education, while enhancing access to information. Properly tagged media is transformed from a normal image into a digital learning object.

Click here to download a .doc file describing the Digicenter's Metadata Schema.

General Metadata Instructions:

Names:

• Enter last name, first name, and birth and death dates (if known)
Example: Van Gogh, Vincent, 1853-1890
• Enter names of organizations in full, direct form.
• Use the Library of Congress Authority File to help determine the correct form of the name.

Geographic Names:

• Abbreviate states by postal code.
Example: Greenville, SC.
• For foreign countries, include entire country name.
Example: London, England

A large amount of metadata can be obtained at the initial meeting of the project contributor and the Digicenter representative. This information will be used at the collection level but may be used at the item level as well.

Tier 1 Collection Level Metadata (Professor/Digicenter)

Mandatory Elements

- Title (mandatory): Professor
Dublin Core defines title as "a name by which the resource is formally known." It is to be provided by the creator i.e. contributor. This will become the collection title. Title elements can be repeated. I would recommend we use "Title [Collection]" and "Title [Item]"

- Creator (mandatory): Professor
This represents the person or persons who are responsible for the content of the collection. A standardized way to input these names will be needed.

- Description (mandatory): Professor
This will be the description of the collection i.e. "My trip to Egypt, June 1- 15, 2008."

- Digitization Specifications (mandatory): Professor/Digicenter
This represents the technical information about the hardware, software and processes used to create the collection. At the very least, this should include the type of camera that took the images. The information should be as complete as need be.

- Date Digital (mandatory): Digicenter
Date Digital is associated with the creation or availability of the resource. This date will represent the date the file is digitally created.

- Date Original (if applicable) (mandatory): Digicenter
In the case of born digital images, the Digicenter can extract this information from the camera, file, etc. In the case of other images, use the date if known or best estimate. Standards will need to be developed for entering this information.

- Format.Digital (mandatory): Digicenter
This represents the digital manifestation of the resource, for example, Format [Extent] 1 minute, Format [IMT] Image/jpeg.

- Resource Identifier (file name) (mandatory): Digicenter
To be derived from a digital file or assigned to a physical property.

- Rights Management (mandatory): Digicenter
Determined prior to digitization by Digicenter.

Optional Elements

- Type (optional): Digicenter
This describes the nature or genre of the content of the resource. Type includes terms describing general categories, functions, or genres for content, for example, Image, Software, Text.

- Language (optional): Digicenter

- Relation (optional): Digicenter
This may be used at the item level to serve as a link to the collection when two different titles are used, i.e. Is Part Of

- Coverage (optional): Digicenter

- Publisher (optional): Digicenter

Tier 2 Item Level Metadata (Professor/Digicenter)

- Description
The professor will provide the Digicenter with descriptions of each item in the collection that is being submitted. The professor may enter the data directly into Luna or submit it to the Digicenter in another format, such as a spreadsheet or word document. The Digicenter will then enter the item level metadata.

- Format.Original
The professor will provide a description of the original format. Example: Format [Medium] Oil on canvas.

- Subject
The professor may provide general subject headings.

- Location
Use individual Location fields for each specific location.

The James B. Duke Library at Furman University would be entered like this:

James B. Duke Library
Furman University
Greenville, SC

Tier 3 Further Metadata Description (Digicenter)

- Description
The Digicenter may choose to enter more descriptive metadata if need be.
- Subject
The Digicenter will create subject labels from the previously entered description fields. Additional Subject labels may be generated discretionarily.
- In Tier 3, the entire metadata record will be proofread, and checked for consistency. Records may be modified to insure standards are upheld.