Definition is a brief description of the information contained in the element. Function is an indicator of how the element is used. Functions served by metadata elements are access management, administration, discovery, persistent identifier, presentation, digital preservation and preservation reformatting. Type is an indicator of the functions the metadata is intended to support. Use is an indicator of frequency and requirement of the element.
Level is an indicator of position within the repository hierarchy that the element is meaningful.
An example of data gathered for a letter from the Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers online collection shows metadata that is readily available for objects currently created, stored and delivered through the American Memory interface at the Library of Congress. Values entered into the table are examples of the type of information that could appear in the field. Actual data types and value tables will be defined and refined as part of several pilot projects initiated in autumn 1999.