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************ Apologies for cross postings ******************** Call for Participation in the CIMI Dublin Core Metadata Testbed / Phase II January 19, 1999 Summary We are pleased to invite museums, corporations, and other organizations that produce and distribute digital object descriptions to participation in Phase II of the Consortium for the Interchange of Museum Information (CIMI) testbed of Dublin Core (DC) metadata resource discovery starting January 1, 1999. This testbed reflects CIMI's approach to investigating standards for solving information creation, dissemination and access issues through practical implementation experience. This testbed continues the work that began in 1998 which served as the foundation for an evaluation of assumptions concerning the use of DC as a means to aid in resource discovery within an electronic, networked environment such as that offered by the World Wide Web. The selected group of participants will work with CIMI to promote a better understanding of how to use DC within the museum context through several initiatives including: the finalization and publication of the Guide to Best Practice: Dublin Core; identification and recommendation of proposed qualifier elements for enhanced descriptive capabilities; examination of Resource Description Framework (RDF) as an effective method for enabling interoperability between applications that exchange metadata; an initial effort in mapping DC elements to the CIMI Access Points as a step towards providing effective resource discovery. Organizations interested in participating should contact Angela Spinazze ([log in to unmask]), CIMI Dublin Core Metadata Testbed Project Manager, by January 29, 1999. RESPONSE DEADLINE: January 29, 1999 ********************************************************** Dear Colleague, CIMI is pleased to announce Phase II of the CIMI Dublin Core (DC) Metadata Testbed Project. This testbed continues the work that began in 1998 which served as the foundation for an evaluation of assumptions concerning the use of DC to aid in resource discovery within an electronic, networked environment such as that offered by the World Wide Web. The Phase II testbed offers participants an opportunity to explore advanced methods for describing communicating, and accessing metadata records. Activities included in this testbed include the completion and publication of the Guide to Best Practice: Dublin Core (DC 1.0/RFC 2413), an examination of the proposed qualifier elements with recommendations about the use of those elements within the museum context, an exploration and demonstration of Resource Description Framework (RDF) http://www.w3.org/TR/PR-rdf-syntax/ as an effective method for enabling interoperability between applications that exchange metadata and a mapping exercise of the DC element set to the CIMI Access Points as a first step towards enabling effective resource discovery. The Testbed Phase II Project Description is available at: http://www.cimi.org/documents/meta_011899_pdII_final.html This Call for Participation is available at: http://www.cimi.org/documents/meta_011898_cfpII_final.html Goals of the testbed include: · the finalization and publication of the Guide to Best Practice: Dublin Core (DC1.0/RFC 2413) · identification and recommendation of proposed qualifier elements for enhanced descriptive capabilities · examination of Resource Description Framework (RDF) as an effective method for enabling interoperability between applications that exchange metadata · initial effort in mapping DC elements to the CIMI Access Points as a step towards providing effective resource discovery CIMI is seeking responses from interested parties who: · are interested in acquiring experience in exploring the practical considerations of describing, communicating and publishing metadata through the use of DC, including technical, intellectual, operational and economic issues. · are or, are willing to become, a member of CIMI <http://www.cimi.org/about/how_to_join.html> · represent the widest possible range of institution size, geographical/cultural dispersion, charter, and information management requirements and practices, including vendors · have or can secure access to a digital collection suitable for project use and demonstration to the larger museum and DC communities · have demonstrated commitment to dedicated resources Please note: Preference for participation will be given to existing testbed participants although, any CIMI member is eligible, and encouraged, to apply. Participants will receive a stipend to defray expenses of testbed participation (similar to that offered in Phase I). The exact amount of the stipend has not yet been determined and is dependent upon the number of participants to the project. Participants will: · Complete and publish a Guide to Best Practice · Create and maintain a database of DC records · Explore the practical aspects of using RDF as a method for enabling interoperability between applications that exchange metadata · Identify and recommend the use of DC qualifier elements · Identify and communicate museum-specific issues to the larger DC community · Create a task list and timetable for accomplishment of work items · Maintain a detailed activity log and complete questionnaires describing progress, task outcomes, and issues · Participate in four meetings, two of which will be held in North America, one in Europe and one in Australia to ensure the successful completion of the testbed and to share experiences. (Meetings have tentatively been set for the week of March 8th in conjunction with the Museums and the Web conference, the week of June 2nd hosted by New York-based testbed members, the week of September 6th in conjunction with the Museum Documentation Association/CIDOC conference, and the week of December 3rd hosted by Australian-based testbed members.) · Map DC elements to the CIMI Access Points as a step towards providing effective resource discovery. Interested parties are asked to supply an expression of interest in the following format to Angela Spinazze ([log in to unmask]) by January 29, 1999. CIMI will evaluate responses and contact eligible institutions to answer questions and discuss expected project outcomes in greater detail. CIMI will then select up to 10 participants for the DC Metadata Phase II Testbed Project. All participants must be or, willing to become, CIMI members <http://www.cimi.org/about/how_to_join.html>. FORMAT FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST · Name of organization or institution · Physical address of organization or institution · URL of organization or institution · URL of digital collection if available · Personal contact name, job title, telephone number, and email address · Half-page description of organization or institution, mission statement, and reasons for interest in the Dublin Core and participating in DC Metadata Phase II Testbed Project. We encourage you to copy and/or pass this announcement on to appropriate colleagues in your organization or elsewhere. We look forward to hearing from you by January 29, 1999. Angela T. Spinazze Project Manager [log in to unmask] voice: 312.944.6820 (CST) fax: 312.944.6821 John Perkins CIMI Project Director [log in to unmask] voice: 902-826-2824 fax: 902-826-1337