Situation Definition:
A situation that arises from difficulty in finding the metadata for a DL item.
Factor(s) Leading to the Situation:
-
- Inadequate support: metadata visibility (text with tooltip) Metadata as a whole or individual components are not noticeable by screen reader software.
Guideline or Design Recommendation:
-
- Offer a quick and easy way to find each element of the metadata (text with tooltip) Commonly called ‘data about data,’ it includes structured data to describe and organize resources in the digital environment and enables users to discover and use the content of digital libraries. for an item (text with tooltip) An information object such as an article, video, or image within a digital collection
- Offer a quick and easy way to identify each element of the metadata for an item
Rationale and Objective:
Metadata (text with tooltip) Commonly called ‘data about data,’ it includes structured data to describe and organize resources in the digital environment and enables users to discover and use the content of digital libraries. is not the content itself, but rather descriptive information about the content. It may include information about the type, subject, author, place, etc. Sometimes metadata is placed far away from a page title, which makes it difficult for BVI (text with tooltip) The acronym for Blind and Visually Impaired, and it refers to BVI users who rely on screen readers to understand DL content. users to locate. The design of a DL may inform users that metadata is available by providing a link or by placing the metadata directly below the page title. Providing a header for the metadata section will help BVI users locate it.
Techniques and Methods:
1.1. Present
metadata
(text with tooltip)
Commonly called ‘data about data,’ it includes structured data to describe and organize resources in the digital environment and enables users to discover and use the content of digital libraries.
directly below or near the item
1.2. Provide an internal link to a metadata section if metadata cannot be placed close to the
item
(text with tooltip)
An information object such as an article, video, or image within a digital collection
1.3. Use heading tags for the metadata section
2.1. Provide consistent
labels
(text with tooltip)
A classifying phrase or name applied to elements and functions; a tag in HTML that denotes a specific portion of code
for metadata elements throughout a DL
2.2. Provide
alt text
(text with tooltip)
A word or phrase (typically less than 100 characters long) used in the Alt Attribute of an image item or graphical interface element that describes its content or function in the context
for the definition of each element of metadata
Recommended Features:
1.2. Internal links (See example 1.2)
1.3. Section headings (See example 1.3)
2.1. Consistent
labels
(text with tooltip)
A classifying phrase or name applied to elements and functions; a tag in HTML that denotes a specific portion of code
(See example 2.1)
2.2.
Alt text
(text with tooltip)
A word or phrase (typically less than 100 characters long) used in the Alt Attribute of an image item or graphical interface element that describes its content or function in the context
(See examples 2.2.a and 2.2.b)
Examples:
1.2. Internal link: Good design
When a user clicks “View Description”, it leads to the Metadata section directly.
1.3. Section headings: Good design
March on Milwaukee uses a heading tag for section heading of metadata (Item Description).
2.1. Consistent labels: Good design
Labels of each metadata element have been applied consistently.
2.2.a. Alt Text: Good design
Alt text is provided for the image so that BVI users know what this image is about, including what, when, and where.
2.2.b. Alt Text: Bad design
No alt text is provided on the image so that BVI users do not know what the image is about.
Related Resources:
-
- Minnesota Historical Society. (2012). Electronic Records Management Guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/records/electronicrecords/ermetadata.php
See Also:
Help-seeking Situations > D. Difficulty locating specific information, items, or features