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Introduction to Metadata: Technology to Support Cataloging and Exporting of Metadata to NSDL.org. John Marquis SCEC Digital Products Manager October 14, 2003. The Main Issue:. How do I go from having a nifty bunch of stuff to being an NSDL-usable collection?.
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Introduction to Metadata: Technology to Support Cataloging and Exporting of Metadata to NSDL.org John Marquis SCEC Digital Products Manager October 14, 2003
The Main Issue: How do I go from having a nifty bunch of stuff to being an NSDL-usable collection? Nifty stuff from Darryl Hudson, http://darryl.hudson.home.mindspring.com/ And what tools exist to get me there?
Assess Your Project ! Metadata • “Do I have (all of my) metadata in some format?” • “Am I still only dreaming about metadata records?” Nature of the Collection • “Is my collection ‘closed’ or open-ended?” • “Do I want my own portal, or is a ‘brand name’ enough?”
When Metadata Exists… …you need an OAI Data Provider! http://www.dlese.org/oai/docs/index.html offers version 2.0.9 of a free, easy-to-use data provider and harvester. (Small collections can even use a Static Repository URL (still in Beta).) With OAI as your goal, you first need to: • Create digital versions of your metadata records • Crosswalk to NSDL-recognized metadata format • Get “branded” -- submit a collection-level metadata record • Generate schema-based, well-formed XML records
If You Don’t Have Metadata… …Rejoice! Recent developments have made your life easier: the Collection Workflow Integration System http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/(follow “CWIS” under “Current Projects”) The Collection Workflow Integration System (CWIS) is an open-source turnkey software package designed especially for the NSDL community. CWIS will allow NSDL collections to streamline integration of their resources into the NSDL metadata repository. • Version 0.9.3 (Beta) available for download (Based on the Scout Portal Toolkit, still available at above URL)
If You Don’t Have Metadata (cont.)… “Umbrella” organizations may also provide cataloging tools • DLESE has its own Catalog System (DCS, for download) and Resource Cataloger (online) for contributing/creating metadata, even while retaining your collection’s “brand” http://www.dlese.org/libdev/dcs_overview.html OAI again?! • Yes, for harvesting from other collections! (open-ended case) • DLESE OAI software includes harvester • OAI can also respond to requests, support queries
Reasons Why Pre-Made ToolsWill / Won’t Help On the Plus Side: • Easy to get your project “off the ground” quickly • Reduces costs of development -- allows your budget to focus on more project-specific issues On the Down Side: • May not help with “oddball” projects, or projects that want very specific features for their portals
Parting Advice to “Fledgling” Collections You haven’t got time for the pain! • Use the results of past (and present) NSDL-funded research -- don’t be too proud to build on others’ work • When in doubt, seek technical suggestions from “similar” collections -- someone’s likely been down that road before
Send “Get Well” Cards to: John Marquis [MAR-kwis] Southern California Earthquake Center University of Southern California 3651 Trousdale Parkway Los Angeles, CA 90089-0742 213-740-9615 marquis@usc.edu