StaffGuide: CONTENTdm Cookbook

Recipes for Metadata Entry for the University of Arkansas Libraries

Time Period

Field Name: Time Period
Requirement: Optional
Repeatable: No
Search: Yes
Hide: No
Vocabulary: Yes
Dublin Core (DC) Mapping: dc.coverage.temporal
MARC Mapping: 648 [ 0] $a
CONTENTdm Data Type: Text
Dublin Core Definition:

Coverage

The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant. Spatial topic and spatial applicability may be a named place or a location specified by its geographic coordinates. Temporal topic may be a named period, date, or date range. A jurisdiction may be a named administrative entity or a geographic place to which the resource applies. Recommended best practice is to use a controlled vocabulary such as the Thesaurus of Geographic Names [TGN]. Where appropriate, named places or time periods can be used in preference to numeric identifiers such as sets of coordinates or date ranges.

Temporal

Temporal characteristics of the resource.

UA Definition: The time period covered by the intellectual content of the resource.
Usage:

Use this element to record a named time period (e.g. Middle Ages) associated with the resource. Although older collections may contain numeric date ranges, do not use them for new projects.

For named time periods, use controlled vocabulary from a source such as LCSH or AAT.  Pick one source, and do not mix terms from multiple thesauri in this single field. When using a thesaurus such as LCSH, prefer the “Subject” element for recording terms that contain a mix of topical, geographic, and/or temporal elements in a single string.

If multiple values are applicable, enter each separated by a semicolon space.

Do not use this field for recording the date the resource was created or published. However, it might be appropriate to include a named time period that would encompass the creation date.

Examples:

Eighteenth century [LCSH]

Nineteen twenties [LCSH]

Renaissance [LCSH]

Middle Ages [LCSH]

Victorian [AAT]

Revision Date: 12/19/19