1. The Magic of Metadata: Content Management for Knowledge Repositories
OLA Superconference 2004
Lynne C. Howarth
FIS- University of Toronto

2. Outline of Presentation
Metadata defined
Overview of metadata standards and characteristics
Applying metadata
Case studies (2)
Key lessons
Wrap-up and Questions
© Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

3. Metadata Standards: Characteristics
'data about data' ‑ i.e., describes the item/object; is *not* the item/object itself
uses standard metatags which are themselves defined (tag names + values)
metadata records can be embedded within the electronic item/object itself (e.g., HTML "Head") or be separate from the e-resource
may accommodate dynamic links to the item/object itself
Requires metadata-enabled search engine (e.g., Northern Light + Google are Dublin Core-enabled; CORE for CHN)
© Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

4. Considering Metadata - 1
Purpose(s)/objective(s) of the project –
Intended use; user group
Size and reach of the project
Scope of the project - Material to be described/indexed: Internet sites? OCR scanned objects? Other?
Keep in mind the temporary nature of some metadata for Internet sites
Information available: e.g., limited to what can be found on the resources, Internet sites,objects, etc., per se? Other sources of information required?
© Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

5. Considering Metadata - 2
How should these objects be described? Practical (documented) guidelines should consider:
How many/which elements to be used?
Which elements = Mandatory? Optional?
Choice of Metadata scheme – DC? Other? Local?
What (additional) elements may be required to enhance metadata, e.g., for administrative, technical, rights management/fair use, or other purposes?
© Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

6. Considering Metadata - 3
Standards documented? Registries? See, for example:
What benchmark implementations are available for reference? Help lines?
How “standard” is the metadata standard?
How stable/durable is the metadata standard?
Metadata search engine compatibility and functionality?
© Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

7. Considering Metadata - 4
Consider interoperability –other resources; sites; metadata schemes/applications (RDF); availability of crosswalks
Think about scalability – implications of adding metadata-enabled projects/collections
How readily can this implementation be integrated with other enterprise resources? Standalone or part of ???
Consider issues of (future) migration and conversion – if, how, how readily
© Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

8. Considering Metadata - 5
Are there readily available tools to support record-creation? Is (customized) template design required? Usability? Features? Cost?
Reggie Metadata Editor:
Nordic Metadata Project. Dublin Core Metadata Template. URL:
Commercial tools: OCLC’s Connexion + subject gateways
© Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

9. Selecting a Metadata Scheme: Summary Points
Intent of the service/gateway
Types of metadata to be supported
Granularity required (level of detail)
Availability of metadata standard
Interoperability – exchange
Conversion/migration potential
Resource requirements and other practical considerations or constraints; training; etc.
Availability of tools, (resident) expertise, etc.
© Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

10. Key Lessons for Implementing a Metadata Project
Secure a champion or champions
Make use of cross-talent
Engage cross-departmental cooperation
Employ content and technical people
Reuse the familiar – e.g., Outlook topics
Consult and involve end-users
Implement and enhance iteratively
Document procedures, changes, versions, resources, tools (e.g., internal taxonomies, controllled vocabularies, etc.), people
Document, document, document (worth repeating!)
© Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto

11. http://www.ifla.org/VII/s13/guide/ metaguide03.htm
"Guidance on the Structure, Content, and Application of Metadata Records for Digital Resources and Collections"
metaguide03.htm

12. Questions? Full presentation available at:
special/metadata/