NJ Geographic Information Network

Metadata Support

What are metadata?

Metadata are structured "data about data." High-level (i.e. overview) geospatial metadata about data sets are similar to library catalog records about books, but contain more information. The structure of the metadata is determined by a named standard to enable interoperability.

Why metadata?

Metadata are essential for use and re-use of data. Geospatial metadata explain the contents of the data, how and why the data were created, the geographic location of the data, and how the data can be acquired and used.

Why write full metadata?
  • To enable potential users (including the data creator, after time marches on) to understand the data set and its quality in detail, and assess its fitness for the use intended.
  • To satisfy State of New Jersey spatial data delivery requirements for vendors.
  • To protect creators and distributors when sharing data. A structured geospatial metadata record may be used to specify responsibility and to disclaim it.
Metadata requirements for sharing your data with NJGIN
  • Metadata in ArcGIS format, FGDC - CSDGM style
  • Correct and current entries for a small subset of elements, called NJGIN Core
  • Metadata incorporated into the ArcGIS Online item (see Share Your Data for details)
What metadata standard does NJGIN use?

The NJGIN 3.0 catalog, hosted on ArcGIS Online/Open Data, uses the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC - CSDGM) Style ArcGIS metadata. Eventually it will transition to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 19115 Style ArcGIS metadata.

Use the ArcGIS Online metadata editor to write and update ArcGIS format, FGDC - CSDGM style metadata. This option is good for those who are new to writing metadata and who want to use a simple interface.

Introducing NJGIN Core

NJOGIS has developed an abbreviated collection of required metadata elements to support Search and facilitate publishing called NJGIN Core.
NJGIN Core White Paper Details on NJGIN Core plus guidance on using the ArcGIS Online metadata editor set to the FGDC - CSDGM style.
Additional NJGIN Core Help with ISO topic keywords, use constraint language and entity & attribute information

*Remember* NJGIN Core is "metadata lite." To fully document a data set so that its value is preserved over time more information is needed.

Create standard-compliant metadata that fully document the data, from scratch, using the ArcCatalog metadata editor. This option is good for those who want to use ArcGIS Desktop tools to write and maintain metadata.

Authoring Full FGDC - CSDGM Metadata Using ArcCatalog White Paper
Required Metadata Elements Lists for NJGIN Core and for Full FGDC - CSDGM Metadata

If you have an old metadata record created in ArcCatalog, chances are that it is stored in in FGDC - CSDGM XML file format. You will need to upgrade your document to the new ArcGIS XML format. NJOGIS has authored the following document providing some guidance on this process.

Transitioning from FGDC - CSDGM Metadata to ArcGIS Format, FGDC - CSDGM Style Metadata White Paper

Geospatial Metadata Standards

FGDC - CSDGM Standards Workbook
ISO 19115 Metadata Workbook
FGDC Metadata Page
US Geological Survey (USGS) Metadata Page
USGS Formal Metadata: Information and Software
FGDC - CSDGM vs. ISO 19115 with guidance for ArcCatalog metadata
FGDC - CSDGM Standard Full Documentation Element List

Information Gathering for Metadata

Minimal Metadata for Incident GIS
Twenty Questions about Geospatial Data for Full Metadata

Geospatial Metadata Tools

ArcGIS Desktop
ArcCatalog Metadata Editor Help
ArcGIS Online Metadata Editor Help
ArcGIS Pro Metadata Editor Help (as of fall 2018, ArcGIS Pro lacks full functionality for writing metadata)
Free Geospatial Metadata Editors
USGS Metadata Wizard
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Metadata Editor
USGS FGDC - CSDGM Metadata Validator
Alaska Data Integration Working Group (ADIwg) mdEditor
Additional ADIwg Metadata Tools

Human Help

Feel free to Contact Us, we are happy to help!