METS

Definition

METS, or Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard, is a standard for encoding descriptive metadata for digital objects. It provides a framework for structuring metadata in a way that can be easily shared and reused across different systems and platforms, making it essential for the organization and accessibility of digital information.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. METS was developed by the Library of Congress to facilitate the management and preservation of digital content.
2. It allows for the inclusion of multiple types of metadata, such as descriptive, administrative, and structural information about digital objects.
3. METS uses XML as its encoding format, which enables interoperability between different digital libraries and repositories.
4. The standard supports the linking of metadata to digital files, ensuring that users can access relevant information directly associated with the object.
5. METS can be extended to meet specific project needs, allowing institutions to tailor metadata schemas according to their unique requirements.

Review Questions

• How does METS facilitate the sharing and reuse of metadata across different systems?
  • METS facilitates the sharing and reuse of metadata by providing a standardized framework for encoding descriptive information about digital objects. By using XML as its encoding format, METS ensures that metadata can be easily interpreted by various systems and platforms. This uniformity allows institutions to exchange and integrate their digital collections seamlessly, enhancing collaboration and access to information.
• Discuss the role of METS in the management and preservation of digital content in libraries and archives.
  • METS plays a crucial role in the management and preservation of digital content by offering a structured way to encode various types of metadata related to digital objects. This includes not only descriptive metadata but also administrative information that tracks rights and preservation actions. By supporting the organization and retrieval of digital resources, METS helps libraries and archives maintain long-term access to their collections while ensuring that essential metadata remains intact and usable.
• Evaluate how METS compares with other metadata standards like Dublin Core in terms of flexibility and application across different projects.
  • METS offers greater flexibility compared to simpler standards like Dublin Core because it allows for more complex structures and detailed descriptions tailored to specific needs. While Dublin Core provides a basic set of terms for broad applicability, METS can include diverse metadata types such as technical specifications and relationships between objects. This adaptability makes METS particularly suitable for large-scale projects requiring comprehensive documentation of digital assets, whereas Dublin Core may be sufficient for smaller or more straightforward applications.

Related terms

XML: Extensible Markup Language, a flexible way to create information formats and share structured data across the web.

Dublin Core: A set of vocabulary terms used to describe web resources, providing a simple way to share metadata across different systems.

Digital Object: An item that is created, stored, and accessed in digital form, such as images, documents, or datasets.