## Metadata Field Editor

The Metadata Field Editor is designed to customize the resource database and metadata structure. Metadata is the background information which describes the content, quality, condition, and other appropriate characteristics of the resource. At the most basic level, this information can be considered data about data. It allows for the organization, indexing, and classification of data for storage, discovery, and precise retrieval by users. The set of chosen metadata fields for a particular collection is a called Metadata Schema.

The Metadata Field Editor allows System and Collection Administrators to create, edit, and delete database fields and their content. For example, if the System Administrator wants to add a database field for the date a resource will be updated in the future, the System Administrator would use the Metadata Field Editor to create a new Date field called Date of Future Update. (See Customizing Metadata Fields for more information on this process.)

The software is shipped with default fields in close parallel to the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set (ANSI/NISO Z39.85-2001) with supplemental additions selected from the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative extension proposals. These fields are a starting point for portal developers considering metadata and cataloging needs. The DC element set was developed by the DCMI, an organization dedicated to promoting the widespread adoption of interoperable metadata standards and developing specialized metadata vocabularies for describing resources that enable more intelligent information discovery systems. These fields are meant to be both broadly applicable and easily understood, and their definitions are supplied in the Metadata Field Editor.

The default fields parallel (at a basic level) the structured approach one find in a library catalog or commercially available database. For completing these default fields, no particular cataloging rules, syntax, taxonomy, or other descriptive encoding level are prescribed or required. Organizations are encouraged to carefully examine organizational cataloging needs and keep them in mind when establishing which standards, classification schemes, and encoding levels to follow in the application of CWIS for portal development.

The configuration of metadata for individual fields can largely be broken out into four categories: Metadata, Display, Access, and Search. On the Metadata Field Editor page, a summary for each of these sections is listed in a tabbed interface. By default, disabled metadata fields are hidden. Uncheck the Hide Disabled Fields box to display all metadata fields available.

### Metadata

Separated by field type, this tab displays the field name and the configuration of its metadata attributes: Editable, Optional, Default Value, Allow Multiple, Uses Qualifiers, Item-Level Qualifiers, and Default Qualifiers. Click on any field name or the ``Edit`` button to the far right to add or change the field metadata configurations. Note: All attributes listed do not apply to all fields.

### Display

Separated by field type, this tab displays the field name and how that field is displayed to users: Field Size, Max Length, Allow HTML, and Max Number of Search Results. Click on any field name or the ``Edit`` button to the far right to add or change the field's display configurations. Note: All attributes listed do not apply to all fields.

### Access

Separated by field type, this tab displays the field name and how access and privileges required for that field are configured: Full Image Privilege, Browsing Privilege, Viewing Privilege, Authoring Privilege, and Editing Privilege. Click on any field name or the ``Edit`` button to the far right to add or change the field's access configuration. Note: All attributes listed do not apply to all fields.

### Search

Separated by field type, this tab displays the field name and how its search functionality is configured: Include in Keyword Search, Include in Advanced Search, Include in Sort Options, and Search Weight. Click on any field name or the ``Edit`` button to the far right to add or change the field's search configuration. Note: All attributes listed do not apply to all fields.

### See Also

- Customizing Metadata Fields
- Metadata Field Definitions