Metadata Resources

Don't Duck Metadata!

Why create metadata?

• The Business Case for Metadata
   

Metadata guidelines

• The Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines: These state guidelines for documenting GIS data are a streamlined, but compatible, version of the federal metadata standard.
• Federal Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata: Some projects may require you to use the full federal standard -- the Federal Geographic Data Committee provides help.

Learn about the Powered by Metadata symbol and metadata standards used by Minnesota government

Software

• ArcGIS:
  • Versions 8 & 9:  Download the MGMG Editor to customize ArcCatalog, the metadata portion of ESRI's ArcGIS software, to include the Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines.
  • Version 10:  No MGMG Editor is available, since metadata is handled very differently in v. 10, and is a moving target.  A standalone MGMG tool is in final beta testing:  the Minnesota Metadata Editor (MME).
• DataLogr 2.11c: Download a free copy of this program to help you create metadata consistent with the state's Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines.  Works with all versions of Windows, including Windows 7.
• Evaluations of metadata entry tools that use the federal standard:
  - Wisconsin Land Information Clearinghouse
  - Federal Geographic Data Committee

Help me fill in the fields!

• Top 10 Ways to Create Metadata That's Just Ducky (2 pages, 359K, PDF)
• Expertise Helpful in Filling Out Specific Metadata Elements (2 pages, 199K, PDF)
• Institutionalize Metadata Before It Institutionalizes You!
• Minnesota geographic coordinates: Latitude and longitude bounding box coordinates for counties and other areas in Minnesota.
• Positional accuracy handbook: Help with horizontal positional accuracy.

Metadata workshop training materials

Minnesota materials: LMIC's (now MnGeo's) "Don't Duck Metadata" workshop slideshow (66 slides, 2.4 MB, PPT). Topics: What's metadata and what's its value; a walk through the Minnesota guidelines; ArcCatalog and DataLogr metadata entry tools; how to make metadata easier.  Updated 9/2/04

• Federal materials: Educational materials tailored to the federal metadata content standard