A guide to metadata by the Metadata Advisory
Group of the MIT Libraries
Metadata Projects - MIT Libraries
1. OpenCourseWare (OCW)
In Summer 2002, the Libraries were asked by the OpenCourseWare
initiative to recommend a metadata scheme for course objects
and to propose workflow and staffing for metadata creation.
The Libraries recommended SCORM (Sharable Content Object
Reference Model) for the descriptive metadata. SCORM uses IEEE
Learning
Object Metadata, and includes XML packaging for the metadata.
Metadata Advisory Group members staffed the project. A minimum
metadata set and an enhanced set was suggested. The Libraries
also made recommendations for technical and rights metadata.
In Winter 2003, the Libraries continued this relationship
and designed the service, to begin in Summer 2003. This work
included
active participation in the design of the metadata input
interface of the content management system, creation of training
material,
and ultimately the hiring of metadata personnel.
OpenCourseWare
http://ocw.mit.edu
SCORM
http://www.adlnet.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=scormabt
2. Rotch Visual Collections Metadata
In addition to its public service role, Rotch Visual Collections
creates descriptive metadata for its image collections
using the VRA
Core 3.0 schema. Staff
members with art and architecture subject knowledge create
one original authoritative record for the Work (physical
object) and then create original records describing multiple
Surrogates (slides, photographs, or digital images of the
Work), which are linked to the Work record. Eighteen
authority tables are used (i.e. Creation, Repository, Techniques,
Materials, Culture, Subject, et cetera), to which data
is added as necessary using standard tools such as LCSH,
AAT,
ULAN, and TGN. The Visual Resources community is
working toward a goal of shared image cataloging, and Rotch
Visual
Collections hopes to be in a position to participate in
this project by contributing full and accurate records.
3. MIT Geospatial Data Repository and Geodata Search
Tool
The MIT Libraries and MIT Information Systems have created
a Geospatial Data Repository, which stores geographic data
from all over the world. Data loaded into this repository
can be accessed through our Geospatial Search Tool. This tool
is an extension to ArcView, which is one of the leading GIS
software products. When added to ArcView, this extension provides
the ability to search and retrieve data within the Spatial
Data Repository. The Repository and the Geodata Search Tool
have given MIT GIS users the ability to find, analyze and
download GIS data without coming into the GIS Laboratory in
Rotch Library.
Both the Geospatial Data Repository and the MIT Geospatial
Search Tool depend on FGDC (Federal Geographic Data Committee)
metadata for storage and retrieval of data. All data loaded
into the Spatial Data Repository have a corresponding FGDC
metadata file. The FGDC files characterize the spatial data
loaded onto the Repository. Once the metadata is added to
the Repository the files are used by the MIT Geospatial Search
Tool to help users locate files and to provide essential information
that will insure the usability of the spatial data files.
Without the detailed information contained in the FGDC metadata
file, users would be unable to analyze the files once retrieved.
Further information is available at http://web.mit.edu/sde/www/help/
4. DSpace Metadata
DSpace is a specialized type of digital asset management
or content management system: it manages and distributes digital
items, made up of digital files (or "bitstreams")
and allows for the creation, indexing, and searching of associated
metadata to locate and retrieve the items. DSpace uses a qualified
version of the Dublin Core schema based on the Dublin Core
Libraries Working Group Application Profile (LAP). The LAP
was used as a starting point for the DSpace application of
Dublin Core, borrowing most of the qualifiers from it and
adapting others to fit. Some qualifiers were added to suit
DSpace needs. A list of the DSpace metadata can be found at
http://dspace.org/technology/metadata.html.
The actual DSpace repository at MIT can be found at http://web.mit.edu/dspace.
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