Date (metadata)

In the context of metadata, "Date" refers to a specific type of metadata element that indicates when a particular event or action occurred relating to a digital object or resource. This could encompass a broad range of dates reflecting different aspects of the resource's lifecycle. Common examples include:

• Date Created: The date the resource was initially created or authored.

• Date Modified: The date the resource was last changed or updated.

• Date Published: The date the resource was formally released or made available to the public.

• Date Accessed: The date the resource was accessed or viewed.

• Date Issued: Similar to Date Published, but often used for formal publications or reports.

• Date Valid: The date range for which the resource is considered valid or current (e.g., for licenses or time-sensitive information).

The precise semantics of "Date" and the specific event it refers to should ideally be clearly defined within the metadata schema or application profile being used. The data type for "Date" is typically a date and time format, conforming to standards such as ISO 8601 (YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SSZ).

The "Date" metadata element plays a crucial role in:

• Resource Management: Facilitating the organization, tracking, and retrieval of resources based on temporal criteria.

• Version Control: Helping to manage different versions of a resource by identifying when each version was created or modified.

• Preservation: Providing information about the resource's history, which is vital for long-term preservation and access.

• Intellectual Property Rights Management: Helping to establish the timeline of creation, publication, and ownership for copyright and other legal purposes.

• Discovery: Allowing users to filter or sort search results based on date criteria.

Properly recording and managing date metadata ensures that information resources remain understandable, accessible, and usable over time.