Metadata(and cataloging?)

Jenn RileyMetadata Librarian

IU Digital Library Program

12/6/05 L520 Fall 2005 2

Many definitions of metadata

“Data about data” “Structured information about an information

resource of any media type or format.” (Caplan)

“Any data used to aid the identification, description and location of networked electronic resources.” (IFLA)

…

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More definition

Other characteristics Structure Control

Origin Machine-generated Human-generated

In practice, the term often covers data and meta-metadata

Used in many different environments

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What is a metadata schema?

A formally-defined set of data elements

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Some uses of metadata By information specialists

Describing non-traditional materials Cataloging Web sites Navigating digital objects Managing digital objects long-term Managing corporate assets

By novices Preparing Web sites for search engines Describing Eprints Managing personal CD collections

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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 fundamental

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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Levels of control

Data structure standards (e.g., MARC) Data content standards (e.g., AACR2r) Very few metadata standards include a

counterpart to the AACR “chief source of information”

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When there’s no data content standard…

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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 Description Discovery

Some common general schemas MARC MARCXML MODS Dublin Core

LOTS of domain-specific schemas

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Three similar descriptive metadata formats

MARC[example]

MARCXML[example]

MODS[example]

Record formatBinary

(ISO 2709)XML XML

Field labels Numeric Numeric Text

Reliance on AACR Strong Strong Implied

Common method of

creationBy specialists By derivation

By specialists and by

derivation

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Dublin Core (1)

15-element set “Core” across all knowledge domains No element required All elements repeatable Extensible 1:1 principle

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Dublin Core (2) Two “flavors”

Unqualified 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

Sample record

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Vocabulary encoding schemes

TGM I TGM II TGN GeoNet AAT

LCSH LCNAF DCMI Type MIME Types …etc.

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Syntax encoding schemes

ISO8601 W3CDTF URI AACR2r …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 Multiple copies/versions of same item Multiple pages within item Multiple sizes of each page Meaningful groups of content

METS is the current primary schema

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Crosswalks (1) For transforming between metadata formats Usually refers to transforming between

content standards rather than structure standards, but not always

Mapping from more robust format to less robust format effective; mapping from simpler format to more robust format less so

Good practice to create and store most robust metadata format possible, then create other views for specific needs

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Crosswalks (2)

Can be in many formats Logical sets of rules [example] Actual code [example]

Cornell working on registry See: Kurth, Martin, David Ruddy and Nathan Rupp. (2004)

“Repurposing MARC metadata: using digital project experience to develop a metadata management design.” Library Hi Tech 22/2 (2004): 153 - 165

Often need to tweak a generic crosswalk for a specific implementation

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How do I pick a metadata format?

Genre of materials being described Format of materials being described Nature of holding institution Robustness needed for the given materials and users What others in the community are doing Describing original vs. digitized item Relationships between records Plan for interoperability, including repeatability of

elements More information on handout

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So why should I care? Because metadata issues are right now an essential part of

librarianship Cataloging librarians – it’s increasingly becoming your job Reference librarians – metadata schema affect search

strategies, and you’ll have patrons who want to know about metadata

Collection development librarians – we’re increasingly purchasing data rather than physical objects, and this data needs to be managed

Administrators – your staff are going to be increasingly interested in metadata issues, and they’ll need training

Public librarians – you are very Internet-focused Corporate librarians– you often deal with non-MARC

environments School librarians – integration of library materials into

instructional environments

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What does a metadata librarian do? Create metadata (including in MARC) Write procedures, policy, and templates for others creating

metadata Develop long-term metadata strategy Write rules/code for mapping between metadata formats Collaborate with subject/format specialists Perform technical support for metadata creation tools Represent metadata issues on group projects/committees Learn more about everything Teach others about metadata Librarian stuff! Professional development, service, faculty

governance …etc.!

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Qualifications of a metadata librarian

Experience with many different metadata standards Thorough knowledge of cataloging practice, including

subject analysis Can use various XML technologies: XSLT, XPath,

DTDs, XML Schema Likes to learn on the job Excellent communication skills Good at writing detailed documentation Experience with file formats for still images, audio,

video, and other objects needing management Familiarity with one or more scripting/programming

languages; Perl is useful Subject expertise where required

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Continuing education Professional literature in many areas

Digital libraries Cataloging Subject-specific

Mailing lists in these same areas Conferences

Digital Library Federation JCDL ALA (LITA, ALCTS)

Talk to people!

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Further information

jenlrile@indiana.edu These presentation slides:

<http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/~jenlrile/presentations/slis/05fall/l520/l520.ppt>

Metadata librarians listserv: <http://metadatalibrarians.monarchos.com>

Priscilla Caplan: Metadata Fundamentals for all Librarians, 2003