In order to publish content in DigitalCommons@Linfield, certain information about each object (known as descriptive metadata) is needed so that users will have some context for that object. Beyond providing context for the user, descriptive metadata facilitates discovery of content via external search engines and through services that utilize the feed available from DigitalCommons@Linfield which conforms to the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH).
There are two types of metadata elements: required and optional. All submissions must include, at minimum, the required metadata elements. We encourage all content contributors to include as many optional elements as possible, as this helps create a more complete record for the repository. If metadata is not readily available for submitted content, the DigitalCommons Coordinator works with individual content contributors to arrange a plan for metadata transmission prior to ingest.
Required Metadata Elements
Optional Metadata Elements
Individual collections may be customized to include additions or alternatives to the elements listed above.
DigitalCommons@Linfield uses the Dublin Core metadata schema and Dublin Core Metadata Initiative Terms. Custom metadata may also be utilized as needed for individual collections.
To aid in subject description of content, the Digital Commons platform uses a multi-tiered taxonomy of academic subject areas. Developed in consultation with the California Digital Library and updated periodically, the taxonomy draws from the National Academies (Taxonomy of Research Doctoral Programs), the National Center for Educational Statistics (Classification of Instructional Programs), the National Library of Medicine (Medical Subject Headings), the Current Index to Law Periodicals and FindLaw, Cabell's, and the University of California. In addition to this taxonomy, DigitalCommons@Linfield employs Library of Congress Subject Headings in the Linfield Authors book gallery.
Metadata for withdrawn content is de-indexed from the internal site search in DigitalCommons@Linfield. It is also removed from the OAI feed for DigitalCommons@Linfield in accordance with the Withdrawal Request Requirements.
Version 2.0 prepared by Kathleen Spring (DigitalCommons Coordinator), January 18, 2019.
Version 1.0 prepared by Kathleen Spring (DigitalCommons Coordinator), July 15, 2011.