CLD Online Tutorial

Section 10:

Schemas

RSLP

RSLP based

Dublin Core

DUBLIN CORE COLLECTIONS APPLICATION PROFILE

A collection description schema is a structured set of metadata attributes which can be used to describe both physical and virtual collections of material in any format.

The Dublin Core metadata element set provides a simple and standardized set of conventions for describing things online in ways that make then easier to find. The initial set of 15 elements has been extended with the addition of ‘qualified’ Dublin Core elements. Sets of the core and qualified elements have been supplemented by further elements to support resource discovery in specific areas; these sets are known as application profiles. Implementations of Dublin Core typically use XML and the Resource Description (RDF).

The Dublin Core Collections Application Profile defines the elements to be used not only in describing collections but also to describe catalogues and indices, since these are defined as collections of records.

View the Dublin Core Collections Application Profile for Collections and Catalogues & Indices.

Descriptions can be linked through parent & child relationships (where one collection has a number of sub-collections) and association relationships (where one collection is related to another collection in some way). The schema itself does not define any data element as mandatory, but implementers usually specify whether a data element is mandatory, optional, or not applicable to certain types of collections. Implementers also specify which fields are repeatable and which terminology is to be used in specific data elements (e.g. using Library of Congress Subject Headings for Subject).

The data elements are grouped as follows:

• General attributes: Type (of collection), Collection Identifier, Title, Alternative Title, Description, Size, Language, Item Type, Item Format, Rights, Access Rights, Accrual Method, Accrual Periodicity, Accrual Policy, Custodial History, Audience, Subject, Spatial Coverage, Temporal Coverage, Dates Collection Accumulated, Dates Items Created
• Relationships between the Collection and Agents: Collector, Owner
• Relationships between the Collection and Location, Collection and Service: Is Located At, Is Accessed Via
• Relationships between the Collections (and between Collections and Catalogues or Indices): Sub-collection, Super-collection, Collection Description, Associated Collection
• Relationships between the Collection and other resources: Associated Publication