Metadata is a description of the content, quality, lineage, contact, condition, and other characteristics of data. The description of the data is organized in a standardized format using a common set of terms. Metadata is literally "data about data". Metadata records are similar in concept to library catalog records: details about a book such as title, author, and publisher are recorded in a standard way to ease the search for information. Metadata ultimately makes information about data sets more easily accessible to scientists and researchers.

Metadata is a valuable tool. Since metadata records preserve the usefulness of data over time by detailing methods for data collection and data set creation, Metadata greatly minimizes duplication of effort in the collection of expensive data, and fosters, sharing of digital data resources. Metadata supports local data asset management such as local inventory and data catalogs, and external user communities such as Clearinghouses and websites. It provides adequate guidance for end-use application of data such as detailed lineage and context. Metadata makes it possible for data users to search, retrieve, and evaluate data set information by providing standardized descriptions of geospatial and non-geospatial data.

Core Science Analytics and Synthesis (CSAS) Metadata Progam offers an extensive array of metadata resources. Explore the links and find resources for your organization to use.