Metadata for the Archives
at BESSIG Blast
Sept 19, 2012
What is Metadata?
Provides a common set of terminology and definitions
A framework for describing resources and processes
Enables computer based interoperability
ISO standards (19115, 19115-2) toto
What is Metadata?
Metadata at the Archives
Not just for discovery
Supports long term understanding
Living documents that need care and feeding
Data experts provide standard metadata as early as possible in the data life cycle
Data stewards maintain records and update annually
Transition to ISO
Metadata standards evolve -> metadata records should evolve and take advantage of new capabilities
Each data manager/steward is responsible for transitioning their metadata records to ISO
Programmatic transform takes care of ~90% encourage stewards to use this as an
opportunity to also improve content
Why ISO?
• Aggregation - identify related projects and programs
• Identifiers - lotso' ways to provide ids• Repeatable responsible parties• Descriptive online resources• Services• Integrates GML• Scope of content is flexible• Strong technical support via XML• Duh – it’s international
Tools: Enterprise Metadata System
Tools
Docucomp Supports reusable components for editing and
managing metadata Web Accessible Folders (WAFs)
Reports on metadata quality Views Publication mechanism
Geoportal Supports discovery of NGDC geophysical resources Federated search with other data centers
Wiki Resources/Guidance NGDC Metadata Wiki
Go-to-guide for NGDC metadata management
NOAA Environmental Data Management Wiki Go-to-guide for ISO metadata Examples Recommended practices
More Metadata Resources Metadata Templates
ISO templates for ECS data types
Training NCDDC’s online webinar Upon request
Metadata Experts
XML Editor
XML Editor with CSS
Rubrics Evaluation Tool
WAF Tools
Metadata Views
WAF Tools
Metadata Completeness
Reports: URL Checker, Validation, Consistency Checker
WAF Tools
Consistency Checker
Metadata Shared with Discovery Portals
Opportunities
Meta”date” once – document many times
Standard metadata supports interoperability and sharing
ISO provides new capabilities for documenting our datasets (see upcoming slide)
Challenges
Robust content versus expertise time
Integrated metadata portals seem to not work as metadata providers hope
“I don’t have the tools I need” to create metadata
Training new tools, standards and best practices
“standards don’t help me or my users”
OpportuniChallenges
Integrate/re-use metadata with Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs)
Integrate/re-use metadata with Ontologies
Hierarchical relationships across disparate yet related or similar metadata
Metadata for Services
Ontologies and ISO Metadata
<gmd:keyword> <gmx:Anchor
xlink:href="http://vocab.ndg.nerc.ac.uk/term/C161/0/55" xlink:actuate="onRequest"> Bering Sea </gmx:Anchor> </gmd:keyword>
Service Metadata
Data Stewardship