Field Name: | Description |
---|---|
Requirement: | Required (mandatory) |
Repeatable: | No (although there could be multiple dc.description elements in a collection, each with its own distinct field name. See below.) |
Search: | Yes |
Hide: | No |
Vocabulary: | No |
Dublin Core (DC) Mapping: | dc.description |
MARC Mapping: | 520 [8 ] $a |
CONTENTdm Data Type: | Text |
Dublin Core Definition: | An account of the resource. Description may include but is not limited to: an abstract, a table of contents, a graphical representation, or a free-text account of the resource. |
UA Definition: | An account of the content of the resource providing background and specifics about it comparable to what would appear on an exhibit label. |
Usage: |
Enter a free-text account of the intellectual content of the resource, excluding information found in other metadata elements. Provide information that will enhance keyword searching for the resource, but generally limit the Description to information that can be gleaned from the resource itself. The Notes field should be used for supplying additional information. Consider including:
Generally omit from the Description terms denoting gender, race, or age, unless this information is considered important to bring out or is needed for context. For existing descriptions that are used as the basis for CONTENTdm metadata, generally remove outdated terms, or, if they are needed for context, update them to current terminology. If there is doubt about current terminology, leave such terms out. Whenever possible, consider the intended audience, and use terminology appropriate for it. Use standard English-language grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. Spell out words, at least the first time they are referenced, rather than using abbreviations such as St. for Street, ca. for circa, Ark. for Arkansas, etc. Include anything verbatim from the object in quotation marks (“…”), whether the verbatim quotation is incorporated into the text of the Description or included in the “On recto:” or “On verso:” statements. (Do not put “On recto:” or “On verso:” in quotation marks, however.) As needed, also explain in the Description element the relationship of the Creator(s) and/or Contributor(s) to the item. In the case of photographs, the name of the studio may be recorded in the Description field in addition to the Contributor(s) field. Description vs. Transcript for textual content. Generally, use the Description field if the object is an image that includes some text. Use the Transcript field for written text if the object is text or primarily text. However, consider the length of the text in deciding in which field to place the text. Longer text may be included in Transcript field even if the object is an image. It is sometimes appropriate to use multiple, separate instances of the dc.description element within a single exhibit or collection. However, each instance must be given its own distinct field label. For example, in the case of newspapers, elements such as “Volume/Issue,” “Newspaper Publication Dates,” and “Frequency” might all be mapped to dc.description. Refinements Dublin Core also allows for two more specific types of description elements. These are:
|
Examples: |
Handwritten diary kept by Brooks Hays between July 28, 1919 to October 6, 1919 during his time as a student in Washington, D.C. Document by Marie Fry describing her grandmother's technique for sulfuring (drying) apples. Dr. Rom's speech on Arkansas apples. This presentation was held as one in a series of lectures given in Giffels Auditorium in Old Main. Charles Fisher family photograph. Eight adults and two children. George Fisher second from left. On verso: "Family of Charles Fisher at Beebe circa 1946. Rosemary [Fisher] in middle." Boxed game includes board, pegs, dice, playing rules, and four life-sized cardboard faces of Tommy Robinson. A tow truck is hauling a pickup truck into the Smithsonian Institute. A tricycle is in the back of the pickup. "Bill Clinton for President" is printed on the door of the pickup. English translation of a French text. |
Revision Date: | 10/10/19 |