Metadata is often described as “data about data”. More simply stated, metadata is descriptive information that is used to inform people about important aspects of the data. It adds important value to the geospatial data.

Objectives

Note: the Virginia Metadata Toolkit and the Virginia Metadata Workshop Circuit were funded through the Federal Geographic Data Committee.

Metadata Workshop Table of Contents

Section 1: Introduction to Metadata

• PowerPoint: Intro. to Metadata
• Handout: Intro. to Metadata
• What is Metadata (FGDC)
• An example of Geospatial Metadata (SSURGO Soils)
• Exercise: Getting to Know Geospatial Metadata

Section 2: The Value of Metadata

• PowerPoint: The Value of Metadata
• Handout: The Value of Metadata
• Article: Institutionalize Metadata before it Institutionalizes You! (L. Wayne)
• Article: Metadata in Action (L. Wayne)
• Article: The Mars Orbiter Failure (even NASA needs Metadata)

Section 3: Why Standardize Metadata?

• PowerPoint: Why Standardize Metadata?
• Handout: Why Standardize Metadata?
• The FGDC's Content Standard for Geospatial Metadata (graphic)
• Metadata Helpful Hints
• The Virginia MetaLite (recommended minimum metadata standard)
• Exercise: Mapping out the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Section 4: Metadata Clearinghouses

• PowerPoint: The Geospatial One-Stop
• Handout: The Geospatial One-Stop
• PowerPoint: Virginia's Metadata Clearinghouse Approach (VITA)
• Handout: Virginia's Metadata Clearinghouse Approach (VITA)
• Exercise: The Search for Geospatial Metadata
• Exercise: ArcCatalog/Virginia MetaLite Crosswalk

Section 5: Writing Metadata

• PowerPoint: Writing Metadata
• Handout: Writing Metadata
• PowerPoint: Creating Metadata Through ArcCatalog
• Handout: Creating Metadata Through ArcCatalog
• Exercise: Importing Metadata in ArcCatalog
• Exercise: Generating Metadata

Other Resources

• The Federal Geographic Data Committee
• The Content Standard for Geospatial Metadata
• Brochure: Metadata On-Line Resources