LibGuides: Metadata Guidelines: DSpace Guidelines

Elements

ELEMENT NAME

Title (dc.title)

DEFINITION

The name given to the resource.

WHERE CAN THE TITLE INFORMATION BE FOUND?

Item Type	Information Sources
For text	title page (use the title page unless there isn't one) front cover copyright page spine of cover
For images	title written on the back of a photograph captions envelope, slip cover, or case
For maps	title caption on map notes around the outside of the map
For music scores	title page top of first page front cover
For videos	title screen(s) label on disc/object container cover
For sound files	title on disc/cassette container information
For computer files	title page/screen title at top of document title on HTML header

In some cases the title may come from accompanying or supplementary information or documentation.

HOW TITLE WORKS IN THE METADATA FORM

Parts:

1. Title (dc.title) - text field

Repeatable?

Yes - to include additional titles, use the Title Alternative (dc.title.alternative) field.

Required?

Yes - a main Title is required.

GENERAL TITLE RULES

Every record must have a Title (dc.title) field
Some records may have multiple titles

ELEMENT NAME

Author (dc.contributor.author)

DEFINITION

A person, agency, or organization primarily responsible for creating the intellectual content of the resource.

WHERE CAN THE AUTHOR INFORMATION BE FOUND?

Authors (or creators) include any person/company/organization that was centrally involved in creating the item and may be found on:

Item Type	Information Sources
For text	title page front cover end of document
For images	bottom or back of a photograph envelope, slip cover, or case
For maps	statement in a caption notes around the outside of the map
For music scores	top of page title page table of contents
For videos	title screen(s) label on disc/object container cover
For sound files	information on disc/object container information
For computer files	title page/screen statement in a header/footer

In some cases the author (creator) may come from accompanying or supplementary information or documentation.

HOW AUTHOR SHOULD BE ENTERED IN METADATA FORM

If no author (creator) information is readily available, leave the field blank.
Only include individuals/organizations who were primarily responsible for the creation of the item.

Repeatable?

Yes.

Required?

No.

GENERAL AUTHOR RULES

Use the last name, first name, middle initial format (e.g., Smith, Harriett S.)

ELEMENT NAME

Date (dc.date.issued)

DEFINITION

Dates associated with events in the life cycle of the resource.

WHERE CAN THE DATE INFORMATION BE FOUND?

Item Type	Information Sources
For text	title page copyright page cover or inside cover page
For images	bottom or back of a photograph a time-stamp envelope, slip cover, or case
For maps	title in a caption or legend notes around the outside of the map
For music scores	top of page title page table of contents
For videos	title or credit screen(s) label on disc/object container cover
For sound files	information on disc/object container information
For computer files	title page/screen statement in a header/footer

In some cases the date may come from accompanying or supplementary information or documentation.

HOW DATE SHOULD BE ENTERED IN METADATA FORM

Select the date qualifier from the drop-down menu.
Only use the international date time standard, YYYY-MM-DD.

Repeatable?

Yes.

Required?

Yes. A Date Issued (dc.date.issued) with at least the year (YYYY) is required.

GENERAL DATE INPUT RULES

Always format dates appropriately: YYYY-MM-DD

ELEMENT NAME

Language (dc.language.iso)

DEFINITION

The language(s) of the intellectual content of the resource.

WHERE CAN THE LANGUAGE INFORMATION BE FOUND?

Language is determined by examining the item:

Item Type	Information Sources
For text	title page words of the text
For images	caption visible words within the image (e.g., a sign in a photograph) text written on the front or back of a photo or image
For maps	caption or legend place/physical feature labels
For music scores	title lyrics
For videos	title screen(s) label on disc/object container cover
For sound files	spoken/sung words information on disc/object container information
For computer files	title page/screen text

HOW LANGUAGE SHOULD BE ENTERED IN METADATA FORM

Select the Language (dc.language.iso) from the drop-down menu.
For English, DO NOT USE "English (United States). Instead, use the more general English from drop-down.

Repeatable?

Yes.

Required?

No; however, it is strongly recommended and best practice for all materials.

GENERAL LANGUAGE INPUT RULES

Include all relevant languages (e.g., English (en); Spanish (es)
Do not include languages that are merely referenced or only appear as single words in text of another language
For visual images that do not have a textual caption or text shown in the image, choose "no language" (N/A in drop-down)

ELEMENT NAME

Subject/Keyword (dc.subject)

DEFINITION

In many cases, the item must be read/examined to find subjects and keywords but they may come from:

WHERE CAN THE SUBJECT/KEYWORD INFORMATION BE FOUND?

Item Type	Information Sources
For text	title(s) abstracts tables of contents section/chapter headings text
For images	bottom or back of a photograph visible items (people, surroundings, objects, etc.) illustrations
For maps	statement in caption notes around the outside of the map geographic area and time period of the map
For music scores	title page table of contents lyrics
For videos	label on disc/object container cover
For sound files	information on disc/object container information
For computer files	title page/screen text of document

In some cases subjects or keywords may be included (e.g., with theses, dissertations, articles, etc.) or come from accompanying or supplementary information.

HOW SUBJECT/KEYWORD SHOULD BE ENTERED IN METADATA FORM

Capitalize the first letter and for proper nouns
Inverse names (e.g., Smith, Patricia)
If needed, include multiple versions (e.g., spelling out acronyms or for punctuation)

Repeatable?

Yes.

Required?

No.

GENERAL SUBJECT/KEYWORD INPUT RULES

Information in the subject/keyword field should describe what the content is "about"
Subjects/keywords answer questions like: who, what, where, and when
Choose as many terms as necessary to capture subject content

ELEMENT NAME

Abstract (dc.description.abstract)

DEFINITION

A summary of the resource.

WHERE CAN THE ABSTRACT INFORMATION BE FOUND?

Like subjects/keywords, the item must be read/examined to find the abstract but it may come from:

Item Type	Information Sources
For text	title page abstract

In some cases the date may come from accompanying or supplementary information or documentation.

HOW ABSTRACT SHOULD BE ENTERED IN METADATA FORM

Enter the abstract only as it appears on the resource.
If the material does not include an abstract, input: No abstract prepared.

Repeatable?

Yes.

Required?

No. However, if there is no abstract, input: No abstract prepared.

GENERAL ABSTRACT INPUT RULES

Use complete sentences with proper grammar and punctuation.