thearchivist.funMetadata
A title, creator, source URL, file format, rights statement, and capture date are all examples of metadata. Metadata makes an object easier to find and interpret, but a field's meaning must be defined. Two columns called date can describe entirely different events. For a small archive, document each field in a short data dictionary: meaning, expected type, allowed values, and treatment of missing information. Keep descriptive information separate from your evaluative notes when possible. Dublin Core offers a widely used vocabulary of metadata terms, while a project can still need additional fields for its specific purpose. Check metadata against the actual object rather than assuming that a structured record is accurate. The best metadata helps a stranger understand the item without depending on the collector's memory.
Context and provenance
Information that describes an object, its context, or how it is managed.
Sources and evidence
Editorial review: 2026-09-23. New evidence may change this account.