Metadata

In conventional usage, metadata refers to data that describes or characterizes a digital object, whether internal or external to the object itself. It is often subdivided into categories such as descriptive, administrative, and structural. Since virtually any metadata element can be seen as having value for preservation purposes, preservation metadata is not so much a separate category as an amalgam of other types. However, preservation metadata may include unique elements and/or finer detail than metadata used for other purposes.

A graphical representation of preservation metadata's umbrella view of other metadata types.

OAIS provides only a general framework for preservation metadata. Several pilot studies around the world have built on that framework to identify and specify metadata for digital preservation. Each took a slightly different approach and developed different metadata element specifications. The OCLC/RLG Working Group on Preservation Metadata brought together experts from those initiatives and others to reconcile and consolidate the previous work (see PREMIS for current efforts).

The preservation community recognizes five types of metadata that map to the OAIS data model. Four of those fall under the OAIS umbrella of Preservation Description Information and the fifth focuses on Representation Information. See Section 4 on Preservation Metadata.