WDL Descriptive Metadata Element Set

A standard set of metadata elements must be used to describe all WDL digital objects. “Digital object” refers to any primary source or other item selected for inclusion as an artifact on the WDL. A standard set of metadata elements will enhance discovery, improve display, simplify maintenance, allow the return of search results within categories, and facilitate access to topics and other browse options across the site.

This is a draft list of descriptive elements. More specific and thorough metadata requirements will be made available in the future. A cataloging tool will also be provided to assist partners in creating the required metadata.

The items in bold are required.

WDL Element Name	Description
Title	Title of the resource.
Description	Summary of the content of the resource. Describe why the item is significant. Note features of historical interest. Example: “A Summary View of the Rights of British America” was the fiery pamphlet that Thomas Jefferson wrote as a 31-year old member of the Virginia House of Burgesses that established his reputation as a forceful champion of American rights and led to his being asked, two years later, to draft the American Declaration of Independence. This version of the Summary View is Thomas Jefferson’s personal copy. In it, Jefferson proudly inscribed his name as author on the title page, and made edits in the text to strengthen his argument.
Creator	An entity associated with the creation of the resource.
Publisher	An entity responsible for making the resource available.
Place of publication	Place of publication.
Date Created	A point or period of time associated with the creation of the item. This can be a specific date, a year, or a range of years.
Language	The native language of the resource.
Place	The geographic subject of the resource. Enter the country, state/province (if available), city (if available). Example: United States, Texas, Austin
Type of Place	The type of geographic place, if applicable (e.g., river).
Time	The temporal subject of the resource. This can be a specific year or a range of years.
Topic	Dewey Decimal Classification. Provide an abridged Dewey number for the resource.
Type of Item	Book, manuscript, map, print/photograph, sound recording, motion picture, etc.
Additional Subjects (Controlled and Uncontrolled)	Terms from controlled vocabularies (e.g., LCSH) and uncontrolled vocabularies used to describe the resource.
Notes	Additional information about the resource.
Physical Description	The physical description of the resource (e.g., number of pages, size).
Collection Title	If resource belongs to a collection, provide the collection title.
Collection Description	Description of the collection.
Institution	Institution that contributed the resource.
Related Web Site	If the resource exists online at holding institution, provide the URL.

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