IMLS DCC Collection Description Metadata Schema

Title: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Digital Collections and Content (DCC) Collection Description Metadata Schema
Creator: Sarah L. Shreeves
Creator: Amy S. Jackson
Date Issued: 2008-11-05
Identifier: http://imlsdcc.grainger.uiuc.edu/CDschema_elements_20081105
Replaces:

http://imlsdcc.grainger.uiuc.edu/CDschema_elements_20050504
Is Replaced By: Not applicable
Latest Version: http://imlsdcc.grainger.uiuc.edu/CDschema_elements
Description of Document: This document describes the IMLS DCC Collection Description Metadata Schema

The IMLS DCC Collection Description Metadata Schema is based on the UKOLN RSLP Collection Description Metadata Schema and the Dublin Core Collection Description Application Profile. The IMLS DCC project has adapted these schemas to reflect the particular nature and needs of the included projects. It is meant to describe digital collections created through IMLS Grant projects and does not describe in detail the projects themselves. This metadata schema forms the basis of the IMLS DCC Collection Registry.

The following is a detailed look at the elements and their attributes and is meant to give some guidance on usage. For a less detailed look at the schema, please see the General Overview page. See also the associated XML schema and METS profile at: http://imlsdcc.grainger.uiuc.edu/registry/default.asp.

There are four entities described by the schema:

A collection may have been created by multiple projects and have multiple administrators. A collection may have only one hosting institution, but may have multiple contributing institutions. A collection may have multiple sub-collections, associated collections, or source physical collections. A project may have only one administering institution, but may have multiple participating (or collaborating) institutions. The diagram below illustrates the relationships between these entities.

Relationships between Collection Description Entities

The IMLS DCC Collection Description Metadata Schema reuses metadata elements from other schemas and adapts their use. We have also developed elements that are needed for our purposes, but have mapped these to other standards as is possible (a crosswalk is coming soon). At the bottom of this page is a list of the vocabularies and namespaces used within the IMLS DCC CD schema.

See http://imlsdcc.grainger.uiuc.edu/CDschema_overview for a general overview of the IMLS DCC Collection Description Metadata Schema.

Questions and comments can be directed to Amy Jackson, Project Coordinator, at amyjacks@uiuc.edu or 217-244-7809.

Each metadata element is described by the following attributes:

Elements:

Collection Entity

General attributes

Topical attributes

Attributes describing relationships with other collections:

Attributes describing relationships with projects, institutions, and administrators:

Project Entity

Institution Entity

Administrator Entity

Collection Entity (back to top)

General attributes:

Name dc:title
Label Name of digital collection
Definition

The name of the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme n/a
Obligation Mandatory
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines n/a
Comments

Examples:

The Hoagy Carmichael Collection

The Louisiana Purchase: A Heritage Explored

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Name dcterms:alternative
Label Alternative title
Definition

An alternative name for the resource.
Uses Encoding Scheme n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

Example:

Calisphere

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Name dc:identifier
Label Identifier (not displayed)
Definition

The unique key for the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme n/a
Obligation Mandatory
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines n/a
Comments

This element is used internally only.

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Name cld:isLocatedAt
Label Digital Collection URL
Definition

The URL where an end user can access the digital collection / primary entry point for the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme Uniform Resource Identifier (URI)
Obligation Mandatory
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: unbounded
Refines cld:isAvailableAt
Comments

Example:

http://www.rochester.lib.ny.us/rochimag/

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Name dc:creator
Label Creator
Definition

An entity who gathers (or gathered) the items in a collection together.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a, but use of LC Name Authorities is recommended where possible.
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

Example:

Whitman, Walt, 1819-1892

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Name imls:interactivity
Label Interaction with Digital Collection
Definition

An indication of how a user can interact with the digital collection, such as searching, browsing, etc.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a, though the IMLS DCC project has developed a list of often used terms for use on the collection registry form.
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

Examples:

Search

Exhibit

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Name cld:itemType
Label Objects Represented
Definition

The name of the object(s) or resource(s) represented by the digital item(s) in the collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme n/a, but use of the LC TGM II (LC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials II: Genre and Physical Characteristics Terms) is recommended where possible.
Obligation Mandatory
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

Use more specific terms than the DCMI Type list (image, text, etc.). Do not use this element for the digital format of the item (such as .jpg)

Examples:

Periodical illustrations

Photographic prints

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Name dc:type
Label (not displayed)
Definition

The nature or genre of the resource, i.e. dcmitype:Collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme Value string must be "collection" or left blank.
Obligation Mandatory
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines n/a
Comments

If describing a collection, this field must contain "collection".

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Name cld:itemFormat
Label Format of Digital Items
Definition

The format(s) of the digital items within the collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme IMT (Internet Media Type)
Obligation Mandatory
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

Use the first level of the Media Type (i.e. image, text, audio, video, application) if you cannot find the specific media type for your digital items.

Examples:

image/jpg

audio

application/pdf

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Name dc:language
Label Language
Definition

If textual, the language(s) of the items in the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

ISO 639-2: See http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/englangn.html.
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

The element is used to describe primarily collections containing textual items.

Examples:

eng

fre

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Name dcterms:extent
Label Size of collection
Definition

The number of digital items within the collection
Uses Encoding Scheme n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:format
Comments

When possible use separate counts for different types of items.

Examples:

150 photographs; 300 books

25,000 images

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Name dcterms:accrualPeriodicity
Label Frequency of additions
Definition

A statement of how often the digital collection is updated.
Uses Encoding Scheme

IMLS DCC project terms:

  • Daily
  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Irregularly
  • No longer adding
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

This element is meant to indicate whether the items are actively added to the collection.

Examples:

Irregularly

No longer adding

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Name imls:supplement
Label Supplementary Materials
Definition

Additional materials included alongside the digital collection which explain, incorporate, or otherwise make use of the collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a, though the IMLS DCC project has developed a list of often used terms for use on the collection registry form.
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:relation
Comments

Examples:

Atlas

Teacher and student resources

Bibliography

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Name dcterms:audience
Label Audience
Definition

The primary audience(s) of the items in the collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a, though the IMLS DCC project has developed a list of often used terms for use on the collection registry form.
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

Use to indicate target audiences, if any, of the collection.

Examples:

Undergraduate Students

K-12 Teachers and Administrators

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Name dcterms:accessRights
Label Access Restrictions
Definition

A statement of any access restrictions placed on the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:rights
Comments

If there are access restrictions on your digital collection, please indicate them here.

Examples:

Portions of the digital collection are limited to the University's faculty, staff, and students.

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Name dc:rights
Label Rights
Definition

Information about rights (copyrights, etc.) held in and over the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

Can include a URL linking to a rights page.

Examples:

You will be able to search, select and download digital files for educational use. Commercial use is strictly prohibited without permission.

See http://palmm.fcla.edu/lfnh/copyright.html for copyright and conditions of use information.

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Name dcterms:accrualPolicy
Label Collection Development Policy
Definition

A statement of the collection development policy for the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines

n/a
Comments

Can include a URL linking to a collection development policy page.

Examples:

http://www.cdpheritage.org/about/policy_collection.html

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Name cld:isAccessedVia
Label Alternative Access
Definition

Services beyond the URL that provides access to the digital collection, such as an OAI data provider or Z39.50 target.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:relation
Comments

Examples:

OAI Data Provider: http://www.lib.unc.edu/cgi-bin/oai/das/das/das/oai.pl ; set=6

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Name dcterms:provenance
Label Custodial History
Definition

A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a.
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

Examples:

This collection was created by an LSTA grant from the state of Illinois.

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Name cld:dateItemsCreated
Label Date Items Created
Definition

A range of dates over which the individual items within the collection were created.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:date
Comments

Examples:

2000-2009

2006

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Name imls:metadataSchema
Label Metadata schema used
Definition

The name of the metadata standard(s) used, if any, to describe the items in the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a, though the IMLS DCC project has developed a list of often used terms for use on the collection registry form.
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

Examples:

Dublin Core

MARC

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Name imls:notes
Label Notes
Definition

A statement of any additional information about the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

This element is to be used to put information that does not fit well in other elements.

Example:

This digital collection and web site will be completed in September 2004.

 

Topical attributes: (back to top)

Name dc:subject
Label Topic
Definition

Terms that describe the overall topical content of the items in the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

Requires at least one heading from GEM (Gateway to Educational Materials). May use other terms as desired.
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

The IMLS DCC project chose GEM subject headings because they are very broad and not overly complicated. We also felt that the GEM subject headings could be used by a wide variety of communities. Collections are encouraged to use additional terms from controlled vocabularies and keywords.

Examples:

Social Studies (GEM)

Current events/issues (GEM)

Work Projects Administration. Museum Extension Project

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Name dcterms:abstract
Label Description
Definition

A summary of the content and topics of the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:description
Comments

The IMLS Digital Collection Registry will display the first few lines of each description in the brief display of collections. Free text searching will also be available.

Examples:

Museums and the Online Archive of California (MOAC) provides access to cultural collections held by museums, archives, and libraries throughout the state of California.

The Linking Florida's Natural Heritage (LFNH) web site allows students, researchers, and the public to query museum specimen databases, library catalogs, and other citation databases for taxonomic and topical information. In addition, scientific experts selected 200 texts for digitization. This core collection on Florida species and ecosystems is available through the LFNH site.

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Name dcterms:spatial
Label Geographic Coverage
Definition

A place(s) or area(s) associated with most or all of the items in the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

The use of the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Terms is strongly recommended.
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:coverage
Comments

The IMLS DCC project has provided a list from the top hierarchy of the Getty TGN. Collections are encouraged to add refinements to this from the Getty Thesaurus.

Examples:

United States.

Mountain States.

Colorado (state)

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Name dcterms:temporal
Label Temporal Coverage
Definition

A time period(s) associated with most or all of the items in the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a, though the IMLS DCC project has developed a list of often used terms for use on the collection registry form.

Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:coverage
Comments

Projects should use spans of years rather than names of periods. (i.e. 1861-1865 instead of Civil War).

Examples:

1900-1924

1939-1945

 

Attributes describing relationships with other collections: (back to top)

Name dcterms:isPartOf
Label Parent Collection
Definition

Another digital collection that contains the current digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:relation
Comments

The parent collection will be automatically generated through the creation of sub-collections.

Examples:

Springfield College YMCA Historical Image Collection

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Name dcterms:hasPart
Label Sub-Collection
Definition

Any other collection(s) contained within the current collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:relation
Comments

The IMLS DCC project recommends that sub-collections use a URL that is distinct from that of the parent collection. This will help users distinguish between various digital collections (and avoid confusion when they are directed to the same URL multiple times).

Examples:

YMCA Training School Image Collection

YMCA Portrait Collection

YMCA World War I Image Collection

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Name dc:source
Label Physical Collection
Definition

The physical collection(s) from which the current digital collection is derived.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

A place to indicate, if desired, the source collection(s) of the digital collection.

Examples:

Detroit News Photo Archive

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Name dc:relation
Label Other Associated Collections
Definition

Any other collection(s) that is associated with or complements the current collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

A place to indicate digital collections that may be useful in conjunction with the current collection. A list of these digital collections as well as other digital collections they have named - will be created for projects to choose from on the collection registry.

Examples:

American Memory Project (Library of Congress)

 

Attributes describing relationships with projects, institutions, and administrators: (back to top)

Name

imls:project
Label National Leadership Grant Project
Definition

The project(s) which created the digital collection. [Links to the Project Entity]
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: unbounded
Refines

n/a
Comments

This element is expressed through a relationship between the collection and the project in the database. Projects may choose to associate multiple projects with a collection.

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Name dc:publisher
Label Hosting Institution
Definition

The institution which hosts (makes available) the digital collections. [Links to the Institution Entity]
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines n/a
Comments

This element is expressed through a relationship between the collection and the institution in the database.

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Name dc:contributor
Label Contributing Institution
Definition

The institution(s) which has contributed content to the digital collection. [Links to the Institution Entity]
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

This element is expressed through a relationship between the collection and the institution in the database.

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Name imls:managedBy
Label Administrator
Definition

The person who has primary responsibility for the digital collection. [Link to the Adminsitrator Entity]
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines dc:relation
Comments

This element is expressed through a relationship between the collection and the administrator in the database.

 

Project Entity (back to top)

Name dc:title
Label Project Name
Definition

The title of the IMLS Grant project associated with the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1 (see comment below)
Refines n/a
Comments

A digital collection may have multiple projects associated with it; however, each project may only have one title.

Example:

The Urban Beat: The Detroit News Collection 1900-1980

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Name dc:identifier
Label IMLS Grant Number
Definition

The IMLS Grant Number assigned to the project.
Uses Encoding Scheme IMLS supplied
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1 (see comment below)
Refines n/a
Comments

A digital collection may have multiple projects associated with it; however, each project may only have one identifier.

Examples:

LG-03-02-0068

ND-10004

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Name cld:isLocatedAt
Label Project URL
Definition

The URL where an end user can access the project web site.
Uses Encoding Scheme

URI
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:relation
Comments

The project web site is in most cases distinct from the collection web site. Often it is an "About this Collection" or "About the Project" page. Inclusion of this URL allows users to learn about the 'behind the scenes' work.

Examples:

http://africafocus.library.wisc.edu/project.htm

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Name imls:administeredBy
Label Administering Institution
Definition

The institution which has administrative responsibility for the project. [Links to the Institution Entity]
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines dc:relation
Comments

This element is expressed through a relationship between the project and the institution in the database.

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Name imls:participatedBy
Label Participating Institution
Definition

The institution(s) participating in the project either formally (through a cooperative agreement) or informally. [Links to the Institution Entity]
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Optional
Occurrence Minimum: 0, Maximum: unbounded
Refines dc:relation
Comments

This element is expressed through a relationship between the project and the institution in the database.

 

Institution Entity (back to top)

Name vCard:FN
Label Institution Name
Definition

The name of the institution(s) associated with the digital collection and project.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments

The institution names should be constructed with the parent institution first and then the smaller sub-set of that institution second (following AACR2 guidelines).

Examples:

University of Wisconsin-Madison. Library.

Lower East Side Tenement Museum

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Digital Imaging and Media Technology Initiative.

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Name vCard:UID
Label Identifier (not displayed)
Definition

The unique identifier for the institution
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines n/a
Comments

Created and maintained by the IMLS DCC project.

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Name vCard:Role
Label Institution Type
Definition

The category of institution, such as academic library, museum, etc.
Uses Encoding Scheme

IMLS defined types + a number of IMLS DCC refinements.
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines n/a
Comments

This categorization is based on the institution types in the grant proposal guidelines issued by IMLS.

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Name vCard:Region
Label State
Definition

The state where the institution is located.
Uses Encoding Scheme

Defined list of states and territories.
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines n/a
Comments Requiring the state allows users to organize collections and projects based on the location of the institution.

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Name vCard:Pcode
Label Zip Code
Definition

The zip code for the institution.
Uses Encoding Scheme

United States Postal Codes.
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines n/a
Comments Requiring the zip code allows users to organize collections and projects based on the location of the institution.

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Name vCard:Country
Label Country
Definition

The country where the institution is located.
Uses Encoding Scheme

Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names

Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines n/a
Comments The country is automatically generated for institutions in the United States.

 

Administrator Entity (back to top)

Name vcard:n
Label Administrator Name
Definition

The name of the administrator responsible for the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum:1
Refines n/a
Comments

The administrator information will not be publicly available through the collection registry. This information is collected for the benefit of IMLS.

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Name vcard:family
Label Administrator Name
Definition

The family name of the administrator responsible for the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum:1
Refines vCard:n
Comments

The administrator information will not be publicly available through the collection registry. This information is collected for the benefit of IMLS.

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Name

vcard:given
Label Administrator Name
Definition

The given name of the administrator responsible for the digital collection.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum:1
Refines vCard:n
Comments

The administrator information will not be publicly available through the collection registry. This information is collected for the benefit of IMLS.

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Name vCard:UID
Label Identifier (not displayed)
Definition

The unique identifier for the administrator.

Uses Encoding Scheme

Created and maintained by the IMLS DCC project
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments The administrator information will not be publicly available through the collection registry. This information is collected for the benefit of IMLS.

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Name vcard:email
Label Email address
Definition

The electronic mail address for the administrator
Uses Encoding Scheme

name@domain.org
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: unbounded
Refines n/a
Comments The administrator information will not be publicly available through the collection registry. This information is collected for the benefit of IMLS.

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Name vcard:org
Label Affiliation
Definition

The institution the administrator is associated with.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines n/a
Comments The administrator information will not be publicly available through the collection registry. This information is collected for the benefit of IMLS.

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Name vcard:orgName
Label Affiliation
Definition

The name of the institution the administrator is associated with.
Uses Encoding Scheme

n/a
Obligation Required
Occurrence Minimum: 1, Maximum: 1
Refines vCard:org
Comments The administrator information will not be publicly available through the collection registry. This information is collected for the benefit of IMLS.

Schemas and Vocabularies (and Namespaces where available) used (back to top)