Metadata Input Guidelines: Format
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Element Name
Format
Definition
The digital manifestation of the resource.
Where Can the Format Information be Found?
Format is determined by examining the item.
How Format Works in the Metadata Form
- Parts:
- 1. Format – drop-down menu
- Repeatable?
- No
- Required?
- Yes - also see more information about required fields
How Should the Format be Filled in?
| Guideline | Example |
|---|---|
| Select the correct format from the controlled vocabulary | text - Text |
| The format should match the broad Resource Type for the item: | |
| Books, yearbooks, letters, newspapers, theses and dissertations, other text | text - Text |
| Artwork, posters, maps, photographs, scores | image - Image |
| For 'physical objects' format is 'Image' | image - Image |
| If none of the resource types fits, choose "Other" | other - Other |
Other Examples
- Yearbook
- Format: text - Text
- Architectural drawing
- Format: image - Image
- Transferware plate
- Format: image - Image
- Musical recording
- Format: audio - Audio
- U.S. Department of Agriculture bulletin
- Format: text - Text
- Postcard
- Format: image - Image
Comments
Glossary of Resource Types:
| Resource Type | Code | Items |
|---|---|---|
| Audio | audio | Sound files |
| Image | image | Two-dimensional, graphic representations |
| Text | text | Written or printed documents |
| Video | video | Moving images |
| Website | website | Collection of webpages |
| Other | other | Any other items |
- For physical (as opposed to digital) nature, including size and duration of the original resource, use the Physical Description element.
- For categorizing the primary content of the resource (to aid in searching) use the Resource Type element.
- Format is important because choice of appropriate preservation strategies depends on knowing the structural type of the digital manifestation
Resources
- UNT Format Controlled Vocabulary
More Guidelines: