LSC 555 Information Systems Webliography: Metadata
by
Lydia K. Hellrich

 

| Understanding Metadata | Standards and Schemas | Initiatives and Interoperability |

 

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• Understanding Metadata
  • Metadata Made Simpler
    by Gail Hodge, National Information Standards Organization.
    An introduction to metadata specifically written for the library community. This article is true to its title: it gives a straightforward, yet extensive and detailed introduction to the world of metadata, provides a glossary, and lists resources for additional information. Since it is geared towards librarians, this article may not prove as useful for someone in another discipline.

  • Introduction to Metadata: Pathways to Digital Information
    edited by Murtha Baca, J. Paul Getty Trust. Includes articles on metadata by Tony Gill, Anne Gilliland-Swetland, and Mary Woodley.
    An extensive introduction to metadata from the Getty Research Institute. This site contains helpful information for the metadata novice, including a glossary of terms, crosswalks, and a unique guide to acronyms. There is a focus on art and museum metadata interests, especially in the compilation of crosswalks.

  • Metadata in a Nutshell
    by Michael Day, The UK Office for Library and Information Networking, University of Bath.
    Provides a brief and broad introduction to metadata, metadata standards and applications, and Dublin Core. The complexities of metadata are simplified to provide a clear picture of the metadata universe. The article only hints, however, at the vast amount of research being done on metadata and doesn't provide any links (except to the UKOLN's own metadata page) to direct you to further information.

  • Metadata: An Overview
    by Dr. Warwick Cathro, National Library of Australia.
    Provides a definition of metadata, a description of its purposes, and a review of the Warwick Framework and Dublin Core. The author provides a more expansive definitation of metadata than some other articles provide. While the article is to be an overview, there are some sections, particularly the section on Semantics, that may be too in depth for someone looking for the basics on metadata.

  • A Review of Metadata: A Survey of Current Resource Description Formats
    by Lorcan Dempsey and Rachel Heery. The UK Office for Library and Information Networking, University of Bath.
    Defines metadata and outlines a variety of metadata formats, including EAD. Each metadata format is outlined identically, allowing you to see similarities and differences quite easily. It also includes the peer review reports submitted by experts in the field, providing additional information and perspectives. The article lacks a glossary and a list of additional resources.

  • Metadata: Cataloging by any other name...
    by Jessica Milstead and Susan Feldman, ONLINE, January 1999.
    This article not only defines metadata but also focuses on metadata and searching. From the Editor's Note, you can jump to a section on Metadata Projects and Standards which includes a section of resources for "Good Starting Places for Information on Metadata". Unfortunately, some of the links are broken or outdated.

  • Metadata for the Masses
    This article defines metadata, discusses current approaches (as of 1996), and suggests future developments. Metadata is defined clearly and the author thoroughly describes the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative. The article is eight years old, so some information is outdated and many links in the list of resources are broken.

  • Metadata: The Foundations of Resource Description
    by Stu Weibel, D-Lib Magazine, July 1995.
    A report from the 1995 workshop that spawned the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative. Highlights the early stages of the Dublin Core project, which is one of the key metadata initiatives. The article does assume the reader has some basic knowledge on metadata, so this article is best read after reviewing a few of the definitions provided in the articles noted above.

  • Metadata for Web Resources: How Metadata Works on the Web
    by Martin Dillon, Bicentennial Conference on Bibliographic Control for the New Millennium, Library of Congress, 2001.
    Looks at metadata from the perspective of bibliographic control over Internet resources. Highlights various metadata formats and discusses the role of libraries in developing descriptions for Web resources. Focuses primarily on Dublin Core and how a hybrid of MARC and Dublin Core should become the metadata standard for cataloging web resources.

   

• Standards and Schemas
  • Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC)
    The standard developed by the Library of Congress used by U.S. libraries for bibliographic records. Includes detailed information on the MARC standard, including a FAQ, code lists, and information on development. Every link seems to lead you to another link, so you can spend a lot of time looking for a specific item since there is no search tool.

  • Dublin Core Metadata Initiatives Element Set
    The list of elements that comprise the Dublin Core Metadata Standard. Each element is defined then described in greater detail in the "comment" section. You do need to scroll down to see all the elements - there aren't any reference links to help facilitate navigation.

  • International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD)
    The international standard for describing any types of materials that may appear in a library collection. Provides a very detailed description of the ISBD and what information is included in each element. The site has not been updated recently, so if any changes have been made recently they are not reflected on the site.

  • Text Encoding Initiative (TEI)
    An interdisciplinary standard used primarily for providing online access to works in the humanities and linguistics. The site provides a list of links to generic TEI tutorials as well as links to guides on local practices. A list of the TEI elements are not included on the Web site.

  • Encoded Archival Description (EAD)
    The standard for encoding archival finding aids started at the University of California, Berkeley and now under the auspices of the Library of Congress and the Society of American Archivists. There is a detailed description of the current version of EAD available, which includes crosswalks and a list of elements and attributes that are recommended for deprecation. You need to scroll fairly far down before you find the "official documentation" which describes the EAD.

  • Visual Resources Association (VRA)
    Standard used to describe visual works and their related images. Provides a MARC map and a "compendium of examples" using the VRA elements. The site hasn't been updated in over two years so any recent developments have not been added.

  • Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
    An intellectual property identification standard, the DOI identifies a specific work similar to an ISBN. Includes extensive resources, including reviews of the DOI, special tools (such as an Adobe Acrobat plug-in), and a site search tool. While the site's resources are extensive and provide valuable information, there are no outside resources noted to help a provide context for the projects goals and objectives.

  • XML Schema for SPECTRUM
    Metadata schema designed around SPECTRUM, a museum documentation standard developed in the UK by MDA. The schema was created by CIMI, which recently ceased operations, but the project continues under the auspices of MDA. A project history provides some interesting background information. Since CIMI is no longer operational, sometimes the Web site is unavailable which prohibits access to information on the project (and MDA has not added CIMI's information to their own site yet).

  • Publishing Requirements for Industry Standard Metadata (PRISM)
    Metadata standard for knowledge management in the publishing industry. An entertaining introduction to PRISM, called Deadline Duel is an interesting contrast to most of the introductions provided on other sites. While it does provide information on the relationships between PRISM and other metadata initiatives like Dublin Core, there are no links to external sites that would provide users with additional information.

  • NISO Metadata for Images in XML Schema (MIX)
    A metadata schema being developed to manage digital image collections using XML. Links to information on the NISO Technical Metadata for Digital Still Images Standards Committee, which describes the Committee's goals and planned activities. Since the schema is still in development, there is very limited information beyond the draft versions of the schema available.

  • Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standards
    Based on XML, this standard is for encoding descriptive, structural, and administrative metadata for digital libraries. Includes a registry of METS projects in various stages of completion. Several reference links in the Overview and Tutorial section do not work correctly.

  • Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS)
    A metadata schema that uses the MARC standard as a basis for its element set, though it uses language-based tags rather than numeric tags. Since it based on MARC, there are already a number of tools, including authority control, in place. Sample documents are offered in both XML and HTML, but both formats are rather difficult to read.

  • Federal Geographic Data Committee Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM)
    A standard for the documentation of digital geospatial data. The most recent version of the standard is available in a variety of formats, including Word Perfect, PDF, HTML, and Text. The site does not provide any examples of the metadata standard in use.

   

• Initiatives and Interoperability
  • Dublin Core Metadata Initiative
    The Web site for one of the most well-known metadata initiatives. A vast amount of information is available on this site, including a glossary, a bibliography, descriptions and links to various DC schemas, and a guide to using DC. Only one external link is offered under the Links heading.

  • W3C Semantic Web
    The Semantic Web Activity project conducted by the W3C which seeks to develop a Web that will facilitate the exchange of electronic information by utilizing metadata. Includes reference links to information available on the page as well as links to related information - items that are "Nearby". The Semantic Web Coordination page requires a password for access.

  • Open Archives Initiative
    The OAI explores interoperability standards to promote greater access to scholarly works, especially dissertations. The OAI includes lists of data providers and service providers utilizing the OAI protocol and provides links to the service provider pages so you can try out their search engines. Does not provide links to any other information on metadata or other metadata initiatives.

  • Mapping between metadata formats
    A page of links to various crosswalks between different metadata formats. Goes beyond Dublin Core to other offer crosswalks for formats like EAD, GILS (Global Information Locator Service), and TEI. The page hasn't been updated since 2002 so quite a few links are broken.

  • MetaForm
    A database of Dublin Core and other metadata formats. Includes crosswalks, crosscuts, and mappings. Though it is called a database, there is no search function available - you have to scroll down through each list to see the contents.

  • MetaNet - A Metadata Term Thesaurus to Enable Semantic Interoperability Between Metadata Domains
    by Jane Hunter, Journal of Digital Information, Volume 1, Issue 8.
    A paper examining interoperability issues between multimedia metadata formats and the creation of a metadata term thesaurus to facilitate interoperability. Reference links allow quick and easy access to the various sections of the paper and the author provides definitions of terms used in the work. While the examples and figures are easy to read and understand, the information in the appendices is very difficult to read without enlarging the Web browser's text size.

  • International Metadata Initiatives: Lessons in Bibliographic Control
    by Priscilla Caplan, Bicentennial Conference on Bibliographic Control for the New Millennium, Library of Congress, 2001.
    Examines various metadata schemas, such as EAD, TEI, and Dublin Core, and discusses how schemas being developed for commodity management may influence the future of our bibliographic schemas. The author offers clear descriptions of the metadata schemas she highlights, including the strengths and weaknesses of each. Navigation between sections is hindered by a lack of reference links.

  • Interoperability of Data in E-Commerce Systems (INDECS)
    Project to develop interoperability standards for e-commerce metadata, focusing on intellectual property rights. Provides links under "INDECS in Action" to organizations currently implementing the results of the INDECS analysis. Not all sections of the website, including the "INDECS in Action" section, can be accessed from the home page.

 

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Compiled by Lydia K. Hellrich for
LSC 555: Information Systems in Libraries and Information Centers, Spring 2004
The School of Library & Information Science at The Catholic University of America
© Lydia K. Hellrich 2004