Digital Spaital Metadata Standard

13 July 1994

  1. Name of Standard. Digital Spatial Metadata
  2. Category of Standard. GIS Standard; Data Management
  3. Explanation. This standard specifies the information content of metadata for digital spatial data sets through the adoption of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata. It requires that metadata accompany digital spatial data whenever they are transferred.

    "Metadata" are data about the content, quality, condition and other characteristics of data.

    "Spatial data" are data that identify the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on the earth.

  4. Approving Authority. The current approving authority is the Maryland State Government Geographic Information Coordinating Committee (MSGIC). The committee plans to submit the standard to the Maryland Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning (DBFP), Office of Information Technology, for its approval.
  5. Related Documents.
    • FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
    • MSGIC Digital Spatial Metadata Standard, July 13, 1994
  6. Objectives. The objectives of this standard (1) to promote accurate, thorough, and consistent documentation of digital spatial data sets produced, directly or indirectly, by Maryland state agencies and (2) to ensure that metadata remain with the data they describe during transfer.
  7. Applicability. This standard is for the documentation of digital spatial data acquired or developed by Maryland state agencies. Metadata, in ASCII (.ASC) format, must accompany digital spatial data whenever they are transferred.
  8. Implementation Schedule. This standard becomes effective nine months after it is endorsed by MSGIC (April 13, 1995).
  9. Specifications. This standard adopts the FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata. Metadata will be transferred with the data they describe, in ASCII (.ASC) format, on the storage medium containing the data.
  10. Review Schedule. This standard will be reviewed three years after its endorsement by MSGIC (July 1997) or as changes in the federal metadata standard warrant.
  11. Where to Obtain Copies. Copies of this standard are available from the chairman of the MSGIC Standards Subcommittee. The included specifications document may be obtained from the Federal Geographic Data Committee Secretariat, in care of the U.S. Geological Survey, 590 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092.