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Basic Technical IVT Commonly tested

Metadata Creation

noun phrase

Pronunciation: /ˈmɛtəˌdeɪtə kriˈeɪʃən/

The process of generating descriptive, structural, and administrative information about digital and physical resources to enable discoverability and organization. Metadata includes elements such as title, creator, date, subject, and format that facilitate resource identification and retrieval.

Plain English

Writing descriptive information about library materials to help users find and understand them.

Etymology & History

Origin languageGreek, Latin
Rootmeta (about) + data (information) + creare (to make)
First recorded use1990s
Usage frequencyVery common

Usage

"Quality metadata creation ensures that digital collections are discoverable through library search systems."

Style guide notes: Treat 'metadata' as singular or plural depending on context; 'metadata creation' is typically uncountable.

Also known as

descriptive cataloging record creation data documentation

Contrasted with

undocumented resources metadata suppression

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of metadata do librarians create?

Descriptive (title, author), structural (relationships), administrative (rights, preservation status).

How does metadata affect library users?

Quality metadata improves search results, enabling users to find relevant materials quickly.

Why Test Candidates on This?

Essential for assessing technical competency in digital asset management and information organization.

Required skill level: Mid

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