Data Cataloging and Metadata
Metadata Services
Ensuring GeoBC clients have ready access to read and create documentation about provincial geographic data is a critical business requirement. Without current metadata, (information about data) clients cannot:easily discover data to use or visualize within our infrastructure,
understand or determine the appropriate use of data,
contact the data provider to ask questions or suggest improvements.
GeoBC Information Services Branch provides a web-based software application known as the Data Discovery Service which supports the management and discovery of ISO 19115 compliant geographic metadata. Metadata Services acts as the custodian of this application and provides training and support in its use.
This database of metadata is accessible through a wide range of access tools including GeoBCs iMapBC, Data Distribution and Web Content Services and within the BC Government directly through GIS software. The metadata database content is also indexed by web search engines and through its Z39.50 protocol service participates as a node in the GeoConnections supported Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) and the US Federal Geographic Data Committee’s (FGDC) National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse network.
Information Services is also the steward of the Resource Information Standard Committee’s (RISC) Data Classification Hierarchy [PDF] developed as an intuitive subdivision of data and datasets to support navigation of the Land and Resource Data Warehouse (LRDW), Digital Data Archive, and other online services.
