Introduction to the concept of metadata, "data about data."

1. A Quick Intro to
Descriptive
Metadata
LIS 653
Starr Hoffman

2. An Introduction to Metadata
Metadata: “data about data”
 Generic term for cataloging formats
 (MARC, Dublin Core, EAD, etc.)
 Frequently means newer-generation formats
 Can describe any kind of information object

4. How it All Fits Together
Record
Authority control
(standardized author
name: J. R. R. Tolkien)
(representation
of bibliographic
information)
Encoding
(MARC, XML)
Code
(rules: AACR2,
RDA)
Structure
(ISBD, XML)
Subject
headings
(LCSH, Sears, AAT)
Classification
(shelving: LC,
Dewey)
Model
(FRBR, trad.
model)
Record is displayed in an OPAC,
online database, etc.
Format
(MARC,
Dublin Core)

5. Record Formats as Containers…
the MARC bottle the Dublin Core bottle
<Identifier>47809907 </Identifier>
<Language>en</Language>
<Title>Club Kaycee</Title>
<Publisher>University of Missouri—Kansas
City</Publisher>
<Date>1996</Date>
<Source>RCA LPV-511</Source>
<Format>Internet resource</Format>
<Description>Information about the jazz
music and musicians in Kansas
City.</Description>
<Contributor>Haddix, Chuck,
author</Contributor>
<Contributor>Middleton, Scott, engineer
</Contributor>
<Relation IsPartOf>University of Missouri—
Kansas City University Libraries web
site</Relation IsPartOf>
<Subject>Jazz – Kansas City</Subject>
<Rights>University of Missouri—Kansas City,
copyright holder</Rights>
001 47809907
008 010820m1996uuuumouaco s 000 0 eng dnamIa
040 UMK|cUMK
245 00 Club Kaycee|h[computer file] :|bjazz sites &
sounds from the Sound Archives & music collections of
the Miller Nichols Library at the University of Missouri--
Kansas City.
260 Kansas City, Mo. :|bUniversity of Missouri--Kansas
City,|cc1996-
500 Title from title screen; as viewed on Aug. 20, 2001.
520 Information about the jazz music and musicians in
Kansas City.
538 Mode of access: World Wide Web via the Internet.
650 0 Jazz|zMissouri|zKansas City.
700 1 Haddix, Chuck.|4aut
710 2 University of Missouri--Kansas City.|bMarr Sound
Archives.
856 41 |zAccess University of Missouri--Kansas City Web
site|uhttp:// www.umkc.edu/orgs/kcjazz/

6. Metadata Types (Functions)
Descriptive
 The what, where, who, and when
 + subject description
Administrative
 Rights, legal access requirements, etc.
Preservation
 Physical condition
 Preservation history
 Migration (digital)
Technical
 Hardware/software documentation
 Security data
Use
 Circulation records
 Exhibition records
 Search logs

7. Metadata
Some is auto-generated…

8. Metadata Schemas
 MARC
 Dublin Core
 EAD
 Encoded Archival Description
 VRA
 CDWA
 Categories for the Description of Works of Art

9. Metadata Schemas
Dublin Core
 Simple format
 Encoded in XML
 15 elements:
 None are required
 All are repeatable
Sample record:
http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark%3A/67531/metadc373/

10. Metadata Comparisons…
Type of Standard Example: Libraries Example: General Example: Archives
& Museums
Example:
Art Collections
FORMAT(metadata element
sets, schemas). These are
"containers" of data that make
up a record or other
information object.
MARC Dublin Core
(Or others)
EAD CDWA, VRA
CONTROLLED VOCABULARIES
(thesauri, subject headings,
authority control).
LCSH, LCNAF (name
authority), TGM, TGN
Any controlled
vocabulary can be
used.
LCSH, LCNAF (name
authority)
AAT (Art &
Architecture
Thesaurus), ULAN,
ICONCLASS
RULES or CODES for
cataloging… These are
guidelines for the format and
syntax of the data.
AACR2, RDA, ISBD (Varies by metadata
use.)
In libraries: RDA
Describing Archives: A
Content Standard
(DACS)
Cataloging Cultural
Objects (CCO)
ENCODING (metadata
standards expressed in
machine-readable form). This
data is encoded or marked up
for machine processing.
MARC21 XML
…also METS, MODS
XML
…also METS
XML