1. OCLC/RLG Working Group on Metadata for Digital Preservation Brian Lavoie Office of Research OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. Information Infrastructures for Digital Preservation December 6, 2000

2. Road Map BackgroundBackground ObjectivesObjectives White PaperWhite Paper Future ActivityFuture Activity

3. Background March 2000:March 2000: –OCLC and RLG announced commitment to collaborate on identifying and supporting best practices for long-term retention of digital objects –Facilitate consensus-building among stakeholders Collaboration in two areas:Collaboration in two areas: –Attributes of digital archive for research repositories –Preservation metadata for long-term retention of digital objects

4. Objectives White Paper: describe current practice/thinking on the use of metadata to support digital preservationWhite Paper: describe current practice/thinking on the use of metadata to support digital preservation Working Group: bring together leading experts to review existing practices, share expertise, and identify areas for consensus-buildingWorking Group: bring together leading experts to review existing practices, share expertise, and identify areas for consensus-building Comprehensive metadata framework: to support broad range of digital preservation activitiesComprehensive metadata framework: to support broad range of digital preservation activities

5. Working Group Participants Planning Committee:Planning Committee: Robin Dale (RLG)Meg Bellinger (OCLC) Brian Lavoie (OCLC)Nancy Elkington (RLG) Ed ONeill (OCLC) Members:Members: Michael AlexanderOya Rieger Michael DayKelly Russell Julia FosterColin Webb Rebecca GuentherRobin Wendler Bernard HurleyTitia van der Werf Catherine Lupovici

6. Preservation Metadata White Paper Define and illustrate preservation metadata for digital objectsDefine and illustrate preservation metadata for digital objects High-level requirements for broadly applicable preservation metadata frameworkHigh-level requirements for broadly applicable preservation metadata framework Open Archival Information System reference modelOpen Archival Information System reference model Review existing preservation metadata element sets:Review existing preservation metadata element sets: –CEDARS, National Library of Australia, NEDLIB, Harvard Identify:Identify: –starting points for consensus building –issues for working group to address

7. Preservation Metadata for Digital Objects Preservation metadata may be used to: –store technical information that supports preservation decisions and action –document preservation action taken (e.g., migration or emulation) –record effects of preservation strategies –ensure authenticity of digital resources over time –note information about collection management and management of rights (National Library of Australia)

8. High-Level Requirements Comprehensive metadata frameworkComprehensive metadata framework –Addresses all aspects of preservation process Structured approach:Structured approach: –Metadata fits into broader conceptual framework for complete digital archiving system –Metadata is complementary to the functional components/processes of the archive Applicable to broad range of:Applicable to broad range of: –Digital object types –Digital archiving activities –Institutions (libraries, archives, museums, etc.)

9. Open Archival Information System Consultative Committee for Space Data SystemsConsultative Committee for Space Data Systems OAIS reference model (May 1999):OAIS reference model (May 1999): –conceptual framework for digital archive –draft ISO standard Establishes terminology and conceptsEstablishes terminology and concepts Identifies key functional components and processesIdentifies key functional components and processes Proposes information model for digital objects and associated metadataProposes information model for digital objects and associated metadata Informs many current digital archiving initiativesInforms many current digital archiving initiatives

10. OAIS Information Model ArchivalInformationPackage ContentInformationPreservationDescriptionInformationPackagingInformationDescriptiveInformation ContentInformationPreservationDescriptionInformation

11. OAIS Information Types Content Information: –Digital Object –Representation Information: facilitates rendering, understanding, and interpretation of objects content format specification, data structureformat specification, data structure Preservation Description Information: –Reference: uniquely identifies object (internal/external) ISBN, URNISBN, URN –Provenance: documents history of digital object origin, chain of custody, preservation actions and effectsorigin, chain of custody, preservation actions and effects –Context: relationship of digital object to its environment why it was created, relation to other objectswhy it was created, relation to other objects –Fixity: authentication/validation checksum, digital signaturechecksum, digital signature

12. Existing Preservation Metadata Drafts CEDARS (2000)CEDARS (2000) Draft Specification: CEDARS Preservation Metadata Elements http://www.leeds.ac.uk/cedars/MD-STR~5.pdf National Library of Australia (1999)National Library of Australia (1999) Preservation Metadata for Digital Collections: Exposure Draft http://www.nla.gov.au/preserve/pmeta.html Networked European Deposit Library (2000)Networked European Deposit Library (2000) Metadata for Long Term Preservation http://www.kb.nl/coop/nedlib/results/preservationmetadata.pdf Harvard (2000)Harvard (2000) Depositing Objects and Object Metadata to the DRS limited distribution

13. Notes on Element Sets CEDARS: –Explicitly adopts structure and terminology of OAIS information model –Metadata elements for an archival information package National Library of Australia: –Data output model: information we want out of a metadata system –Does not follow OAIS explicitly, but can be mapped

14. Notes on Element Sets … Continued NEDLIB: –Core metadata essential for preservation management –Explicitly adopts OAIS structure and terminology –Focuses on preservation metadata, not metadata that has to be preserved Harvard: –Developed for Harvards Data Repository Services –Digital object placed in FTP drop box, along with instruction file in XML format –Specifies XML Document Type Description for instruction file, including relevant metadata

15. Points of Convergence Informed by OAIS reference model (implicitly or explicitly)Informed by OAIS reference model (implicitly or explicitly) –Starting point for consensus on metadata framework –Identifies key aspects of preservation process metadata must support Primary objective of preservation metadata is to maintain accessibility of digital objects in face of evolving technological environmentPrimary objective of preservation metadata is to maintain accessibility of digital objects in face of evolving technological environment Neutral on digital object type, and specifics of preservation processNeutral on digital object type, and specifics of preservation process

16. Issues Scope of initiative: what is preservation metadata?Scope of initiative: what is preservation metadata? –metadata in a digital archival setting? –metadata to support and facilitate preservation process? Level of specificity: how far can consensus extend?Level of specificity: how far can consensus extend? –when do local imperatives outweigh benefits of consensus? Level of descriptive granularity:Level of descriptive granularity: –collection, object, sub-object? Interoperability with existing metadata standardsInteroperability with existing metadata standards Implementation:Implementation: –syntax: XML, MARC, other? –embedded/encapsulated or separate

17. Future Activity White paper:White paper: –revise draft to include working group feedback –make final version publicly available (January 2001) Working group:Working group: –develop comprehensive metadata framework –identify essential preservation metadata elements to support framework –identify and evaluate alternative implementation approaches –develop testbed/pilot applications –recommendations for best practices/approaches