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Metadata and Preservation Metadata Trail


About this trail | FAQs about Metadata | FAQs about Preservation Metadata | Beginners Trail | Other trails


About this trail

The resources in this trail are divided into general metadata and the more specific preservation metadata. This trail emphasises preservation metadata as it is a vital part of ensuring long term access to digital information. The assumed knowledge is beginner level. This trail is a subset of the full PADI database.


FAQs about Metadata


FAQs about Preservation Metadata


What is metadata?

The term metadata can be defined as structured information that describes digital resources. Without metadata digital objects are unreadable, inaccessible, impossible to locate and possibly useless. Metadata describes such areas as the content, physical description and location, type and form of the information and information necessary for management.

Introduction to Metadata - Pathways to Digital Information. The chapter called Setting the Stage contains a clear and concise look at metadata.


What are the different types of metadata?

There are many ways to characterise metadata. Some of the broad types of metadata are - descriptive metadata, structural metadata and administrative metadata. Another category, preservation metadata, is a subset of metadata and relates to describing digital resources for long-term accessibility. The resources below provide introductory information on metadata in general.

Meta Map
A useful tool for the beginner, this is a graphical representation of various aspects of metadata in the form of a subway map. It includes definitions and links.

IFLANET. Digital Libraries : Metadata Resources
Contains extensive links to international projects, initiatives, tutorials, standards and organisations.

Metadata Resources Guide
This 27 page document was created as a research tool to help in the development of metadata standards for the government of Alberta. It lists international initiatives, schemas, domain metadata, listservs and subject gateways.


Why is the metadata on PADI mostly concerned with preservation metadata?

PADI is primarily concerned with preservation metadata as it is this subset of metadata that is essential to ensuring long-term accessibility. The development of structured ways to describe and record information is needed to manage the preservation of digital resources.


Where can I find more information on metadata?

For more information on metadata, see the PADI metadata topic page, or, search the PADI database using 'metadata' as the search term.


What is preservation metadata and how is it related to other forms of metadata?

Preservation metadata can be defined as a subset of metadata. As the name suggests, this strand of metadata is considered the most relevant to the preservation of access to digital materials. It provides structured ways to describe and record information needed to manage the preservation of digital resources. How digital materials are described and managed is essential if such objects are to be accessible to future users.

Cedars Guide to Preservation Metadata
This document explains why preservation metadata is important, provides information on various initiaves and provides suggestion for further reading.


Is there a preservation metadata standard ?

There is no uniform preservation metadata standard. In fact, there have been a number of different initiatives developed by library, information technology, archive, government and academic sectors from all around the world. See below for examples of how various institutions are applying preservation metadata.

Preservation Metadata for Digital Materials
Features links to the OCLC-RLG working groups convened to implement preservation metadata and PREMIS. Also has links to resources on preservation metadata.

PREMIS Preservation Metadata Maintenance Activity was set up by the Library of Congress and is responsible for maintaining, supporting, and coordinating future revisions to the PREMIS data dictionary and XML schemas. The PREMIS data dictionary first released in 2005 and revised in 2008 was the first comprehensive specification for preservation metadata produced from an international, cross-domain consensus-building process.


Where can I find more information about preservation metadata?

For more information on preservation metadata, see the PADI preservation metadata topic page, or, search the PADI database using 'preservation metadata' as the search term.

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