A metadata record is a file of information, usually presented as an XML document, which captures the basic characteristics of a data or information resource. It represents the who, what, when, where, why and how of the resource. Geospatial metadata are used to document geographic digital resources such as Geographic Information System (GIS) files, geospatial databases, and earth imagery. A geospatial metadata record includes core library catalogue elements such as Title, Abstract, and Publication Data; geographic elements such as Geographic Extent and Projection Information; and database elements such as Attribute Label Definitions and Attribute Domain Values.

Searching Metadata

The more standardized the structure and content of information, the more effectively it can be used by both humans and machines. A metadata standard is simply a common set of terms and definitions that are presented in a structured format.

The international community, through the International Standards Organization  (ISO), has developed and approved an international metadata standard, ISO 19115. Each nation can craft their own profile of ISO 19115 with the requirement that it include the 13 core element. The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is currently leading the development of a US Profile of the (ISO) international metadata standard, ISO 19115.    

A key feature of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM)Version 2 is the ability of geospatial data communities to customize the base CSDGM. Extensions are a set of added elements that extend the standard to better serve the community or data type. Profiles are custom adaptations of the standard that may specify specific domain values for existing CSDGM elements and/or increase conditionality of a specific element.

 

Profiles may also included extensions. 

FGDC Endorsed Extensions to the CSDGM Version 2 (FGDC-STD-001-1998).

The objective of this profile is to make metadata more accessible and useful on a daily basis when browsing, searching, and managing data.  ArcGIS™ software has the capability to automatically manage and update metadata as the data changes and has made that metadata easily accessible.  This profile defines additional elements to support that process and to document characteristics of datasets that are not addressed by the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata.

 

The ESRI Profile is intended to support the daily use of metadata with ArcCatalog™ and other ESRI® software. It also extends that standard by adding some new compound elements and data elements.
 
The elements added by the ESRI Profile are intended to allow an item's properties to be automatically harvested and recorded in the metadata, to provide information in terms that are more familiar and relevant to ESRI software users, and to allow metadata records to contain graphics and files that describe the dataset.  The extended elements also allow improved documentation of items that aren't specifically addressed by the FGDC standard.  Overall, this profile helps ESRI software user to accomplish the goal of making metadata easier to generate, maintain, and use.

The Regional Municipality of York has adopted the ESRI Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC (FGDC-STD-001-1998).