Course Description

Digital Projects Toolkit Part 4: Metadata is the fourth in a series of five short courses introducing the basics of cultural heritage digitization projects. This section features an introduction to metadata schemas, tips for describing historical materials, a basic metadata template and sample metadata for common types of items.

This series was created by Recollection Wisconsin to help public library systems provide basic digitization education and support to their members. Course development was funded by the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC). Support for Recollection Wisconsin is provided in part by a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Recollection Wisconsin Program Manager, WiLS

Emily Pfotenhauer

Course curriculum

  • 1

    1. Course Materials

    • 1a. How to Navigate

    • 1b. Resource List and Slides
  • 2

    2. A Brief Introduction to Metadata

    • 2a. What is metadata and why do I need it?

    • 2b. Recollection Wisconsin to DPLA Metadata Map

    • 2c. Introduction to the DPLA Metadata Application Profile
  • 3

    3. Creating Metadata for RW and DPLA

    • 3a. Required and recommended metadata elements

    • 3b. Creating titles for historic photographs

    • 3c. Recollection Wisconsin Metadata Essentials
  • 4

    4. Metadata Template and Sample Records

    • 4a. Recollection Wisconsin Metadata Template (Excel file)

    • 4b. Sample metadata - Oral history

    • 4c. Sample metadata - Postcard

    • 4d. Sample metadata - Yearbook

    • 4e. Metadata Checker Tools
  • 5

    5. Feedback

    • Give feedback on "Digital Projects Toolkit Part 4: Metadata"