GDM: A Descriptive Metadata Extension Schema for the Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard

Introduction. The MOA2.DTD, the predecessor and starting point for the mets.xsd schema, defines a structured set of descriptive metadata elements which can be used to describe the entire digital object or its parts. The MOA2.DTD groups these descriptive metadata elements under a GDM (Generic Descriptive Metadata) element. The gdm.xsd schema derives directly from the GDM element set as defined in the MOA2.DTD. It captures the gdm elements in a format that can be referenced in mdWrap elements of METS objects.

The gdm elements are based on the descriptive metadata fields defined in GenDB, a generic database designed at the University of California, Berkeley and used in digitizing projects throughout the UC system. This database provides for gathering all of the structural, descriptive and administrative metadata needed to produce MOA2 (and soon METS) objects. The descriptive metadata fields defined in the database reflect descriptive metadata needs that have emerged in the course of numerous digitizing projects at U.C.Berkeley.  Initially, these projects concentrated on manuscript and pictorial materials held in special collections, and the gdm elements may show that bias.

The gdm elements should provide a sufficient basis for generating Dublin Core records, as the element set is finer-grained than this standard.  Producing MARC records may be more difficult, and if this an intended end result, a careful analysis of data elements should be conducted and data entry procedures should be strictly enforced.

N.B:. U.C. Berkeley is currently reviewing the MODS schema produced by the Library of Congress for possible use instead of the gdm.xsd in the context of METS.  

View proposed gdm schema: gdm.xsd
Send comments to rbeaubie@library.berkeley.edu
Go to METS home page (hosted by Library of Congress)

June 14, 2002