Introduction to Metadata: Online Edition, Version 3.0

Introduction to Metadata: Online Edition, Version 3.0

Web archiving

Metadata is considered one of the most important assets of digital archives and is becoming increasingly familiar to the public at large. User-contributed metadata in the form of tagging, bookmarks, and even historic documentation for online museum exhibits is considered valuable for its outsider perspective as long as minimal standards are maintained. Introduction to Metadata defines metadata as a dynamic, expandable set of fields describing and organizing digital objects (data about data). Each chapter reiterates the necessity for creating richly detailed metadata uniquely schematized for the individual item but sufficiently standardized to ensure the object’s preservation and original context. In addition to providing a rationale and set of principles for creating good metadata, the authors also explain how metadata mapping (syntactically and semantically) achieves interoperability between different hardware and software systems. Assuring the public continuing access to cultural heritage data depends upon open archival information standards, which require incremental stages and a high degree of sharing and collaboration. One of the biggest obstacles to achieving interoperability and long-term preservation and access is intellectual property rights. “Rights metadata” records critical copyright and edition information that promotes not only compliance with intellectual property laws, but also promotes responsible stewardship of the data.

This revised edition of Introduction to Metadata, first published in 1998 and updated in an online version in 2000, provides an overview of metadata -- its types, roles, and characteristics; a discussion of metadata as it relates to Web resources; a description of methods, tools, standards, and protocols for publishing and disseminating digital collections; and a handy glossary. Newly added to this edition are an essay on the importance of standards-based rights metadata for cultural institutions; and a section entitled "Practical Principles for Metadata Creation and Maintenance."

Baca, Murtha

Gill, Tony

Gilliland, Anne J.

Whalen, Maureen

Woodley, Mary S.

Getty Research Institute

2008

Polk, Victoria

2008

2nd edition

E-Book

ISBN 978-0-89236-896-9 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-89236-966-9 (PDF)

ISBN 978-0-89236-967-6 (HTML)

Baca, Murtha, et. al. Introduction to Metadata: Online Edition, Version 3.0. Los Angeles, CA: Getty Publications, 2008. http://www.getty.edu/research/publications/electronic_publications/intrometadata/

The authors successfully convey the message that metadata is more than a routine part of the digital archiving workflow (although that is an essential principle) and that it also provides a bridge between the demands for standardization and unique schemas, and integrates non-expert generated content with traditional archival standards. Metadata preserves the legitimacy and authority of public archives while also adapting to the participatory logic and technical challenges of the Internet. The extension of the Dublin Core elements and adaptation of its fields in DAR exemplifies metadata's flexibility and essential intellectual value to this archive.