GIS data are the digital representation of the world in which we live.  A Geographic Information System serves as the tangible and intangible means by which spatially related phenomena can be created, stored, analyzed and rendered.  While many only see the output of GIS data and analysis in the form of maps, the most costly component of any geospatial enterprise is the creation of these spatial data that contribute to these analyses and output.  This data creation takes on many different forms, ranging from the conversion of analog data to the use of high precision equipment.  

It is necessary that a mechanism exists to describe the methods and personnel who contribute to the creation and editing of these data.  GIS metadata serves as the formal framework to catalog information about a GIS data set.  Metadata is independent of the encoded spatial and attribute information.  GIS metadata is a subset of electronic metadata which catalogs electronic resources such as web pages and software applications.  However, GIS metadata is inherently different than the aforementioned electronic media because each metadata file can be applied to a spatial component that is not implicit with other forms of metadata.

For 2009 - 2010, we presented a workshop entitled "Metadata 101:  Hands-On Metadata Training and Support for North Carolina."  This GIS metadata training workshop was held at The Transforming Communities Research Laboratory at Winston-Salem State University and funding was provided through the FGDC (Federal Geographic Data Committee) CAP Grant Program.  Participants learned about all facets of metadata through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on labs.  Topics covered included the following:

• Introduction to FGDC  and NSDI
• Understanding the Importance of GIS Metadata
• Understanding FGDC Metadata and the CSDGM
• Viewing and Editing GIS Metadata
• Importing and Exporting GIS Metadata to Other Formats
• Advanced GIS Metadata Features and Topics
• Automating Metadata Population
• Assessing GIS Metadata for Large Databases
• Developing GIS Metadata Standards for Your Own Organization

The first day of the workshop will focus on more basic aspects of GIS metadata.  This includes understanding the FGDC content standard, understanding what each metadata element means, editing metadata and trying to determine and mold the metadata requirements for your own organization.  The second day of the workshop will focus on more advanced aspects of metadata.  This includes importing and exporting GIS metadata to and from other formats, and tools and tricks to help auto-populate and assess GIS metadata.  We will focus on some very simple ArcObjects programming tips and ESRI tools to make metadata management much easier.  No programming experience is expected or required.  Feel free to bring your GIS data or databases to the workshop so we can help you develop metadata standards for your organization or determine adherence to FGDC compliancy and other potential holes in your geospatial and metadata.    

Who Can Attend:  The training will be open to anyone who practices GIS for the state of North Carolina. This includes members of academia, non-profit organizations, contractors, state employees and regional or national GIS specialists that include GIS data for the state of North Carolina in their work.  While this workshop is catered to newer GIS professionals looking to understand GIS metadata, GIS Managers, Data Stewards and Information Officers looking for ways to quantify and assess their metadata for clearinghouses or online databases can benefit from this training. 

Cost:  There is no cost to attend this workshop.  Funding is provided through the NSDI, Category 1 CAP Grant Program (Award G09AC00087).  You or your organization will be responsible for travel and/or lodging expenses.  

FGDC Grant Announcement

When:  This workshop will be offered 5 times throughout the year over a 2 day period.  Scheduled workshop dates are: 

• June 8 - 9, 2009

• August 10 -11, 2009

• October 22 - 23, 2009

• December 7 - 8, 2009

• February 22 - 23, 2010

Times:  Each Workshop will be offered from 8:00 - 5:00 each day.  A preliminary schedule is below:

Where: 

Directions:  The Transforming Communities Research Laboratory (TCRL) is located in the Winston Tower (9th floor) in downtown Winston-Salem, approximately 1/2 a mile from the main Winston-Salem State University Campus. All GIS training at WSSU is provided through the TCRL.  The TCRL is a state-of-the-art GIS research lab that serves WSSU students and faculty, in addition to providing mapping and services to non-profit agencies, neighborhood organizations and K-12 faculty and students. 

The TCRL is located off the 'Main Street' exit off of Business Route 40 (US 421) in downtown Winston Salem. 

From Greensboro:  Take Interstate 40 to Business 40 (US 421) near the Greensboro Airport (Exit 206).  Follow the signs to downtown Winston-Salem.  On Business 40, Take Exit 5D (Main Street / Downtown) in downtown Winston-Salem.  Take a right off the exit ramp onto Main Street.  Go 4 blocks to 4th Street.  Take a right onto 4th street and then a right onto Church Street.  The entrance to the parking garage will be on your right. 

From the East (Raleigh, Durham, Wilmington):  Take Route 40/85 and follow the signs for Interstate 40 / Business 40 when Routes 85 and 40 split east of Greensboro.  Take Interstate 40 to Business 40 (US 421) near the Greensboro Airport (Exit 206).  Follow the signs to downtown Winston-Salem.  On Business 40, take Exit 5D (Main Street / Downtown) in downtown Winston-Salem.  Take a right off the exit ramp onto Main Street.  Go 4 blocks to 4th Street.  Take a right onto 4th street and then a right onto Church Street.  The entrance to the parking garage will be on your right. 

From the West (Boone, Wilkesboro):  Take Route 421 to Business 40.   On Business 40, Take Exit 5D (Main Street / Downtown).  Take a left off the exit ramp onto Main Street.  Go 4 blocks to 4th Street.  Take a right onto 4th street and then a right onto Church Street.  The entrance to the parking garage will be on your right. 

From the Southwest (Asheville, Mocksville, Hickory) :  Take Interstate 40 to Winston-Salem.  At Winston-Salem, take Business 40 (US 421) to downtown Winston-Salem (Exit 188).  On Business 40, Take Exit 5D (Main Street / Downtown).  Take a left off the exit ramp onto Main Street.  Go 4 blocks to 4th Street.  Take a right onto 4th street and then a right onto Church Street.  The entrance to the parking garage will be on your right.    

From the South (Charlotte):  Take Interstate Route 85 to Exit #87 (US 29 / US 52 / Winston-Salem).  Take US 52 approximately 22 miles to downtown Winston-Salem.  Take the exit for Business 40 (US 421) West (Exit 109B).  Follow Business 40 for about 1/2 mile and take Exit 5D (Main Street / Downtown) in downtown Winston-Salem.  Take a right off the exit ramp onto Main Street.  Go 4 blocks to 4th Street.  Take a right onto 4th street and then a right onto Church Street.  The entrance to the parking garage will be on your right. 

Parking:  If space exists, free parking is available underneath the Winston Tower at 301 North Main Street.  The entrance is on Church Street (behind the building).  Tell the parking attendant that you are here for Winston-Salem State University. Otherwise, a parking deck at the City Parking Deck (corner of 4th and Church street) charges 1$ an hour ($6 maximum).  It is caddy-corner to the Winston-Tower.  Following the directions from above, the entrance to the city parking garage is on 4th Street, 1/2 block past Church street.  You will be able to see the deck on your left when you turn onto Church street.  Attendees should enter the building through the Main Street entrance.  Winston-Tower is a public building and you will not need credentials to enter the building.  The workshop will be held on the 9th floor in the Transforming Communities Research Laboratory of Winston-Salem State University. 

Lodging:  If you require lodging, there are 3 hotels in downtown Winston-Salem within walking distance of the Winston Tower. 

Food:  The Winston Tower is located in downtown Winston-Salem within walking distance of dozens of restaurants and dining establishments.  The TCRL staff will provide information about them during the workshop.  

Instructors:  GIS staff at the Transforming Communities Research Laboratory will be providing instruction for this workshop. 

Mike Carmichael is the lab manager for the Transforming Communities Research Laboratory at Winston-Salem State University.  Mike developed a community mapping workshop curriculum to train community neighborhood groups, individuals, agencies, university staff, faculty and students in the basics of GIS and the data available in the lab. His community mapping workshop has seen more 1,000 people from the surrounding community take this course.  He has a certificate in GIS from Central Piedmont Community College. He has a Master’s Degree in Community Education from Appalachian State University. He has taken a number of GIS training courses, has presented at the National Crime Mapping Conference and is a member of the International Association of Crime Analysts and Justice Research and Statistics Association. Phone Number:  336-779-7310          E-Mail:  carmichaelm@wssu.edu  Web Page: http://myweb.wssu.edu/carmichaelm/

Timothy Mulrooney is a GIS Support Specialist at Winston-Salem State University.  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Columbia University in New York City, earned a Master’s Degree in Geography from the University of Idaho and is currently completing his dissertation in Geography at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.  The focus of his dissertation research is using open source programming techniques to assess metadata integrity across large GIS databases.  This research uses advanced programming and data mining techniques to glean unseen trends from FGDC metadata for decision making purposes.  He has taught the GIS course at WSSU and has taught geography part-time at the college level for the last 6 years and the high school level before that.  He worked as a Senior GIS Specialist with an Army Environmental Stewardship Program before embarking on his PhD.  While working for the SRP (Sustainable Range Program), he helped write the metadata standard for the SRP GIS Technical Reference Manual used across more than 180 Army installations throughout the world.  He has written proprietary tools and code to streamline the metadata process that are still in use today by the SRP GIS community and has presented various workshops and talks on the subject of GIS metadata and its use in the Army SRP GIS program.    Phone Number:  336-779-7313          E-Mail:  mulrooneyti@wssu.edu Web Page: http://myweb.wssu.edu/mulrooneyti

CEU (Continuing Education Units) Credits:  The TCRL works with the Continuing Education Department at WSSU to offer continuing education units for those who require professional or educational credits as part of their professional development.  Contact the TCRL staff at the workshop regarding that process. 

How do I Sign-Up? Registration for Metadata 101 is open.  Click on the registration link below to sign up for a workshop.  Once you register, you will be contacted by TCRL staff about logistics specific to your course.

Further Questions?:    Contact Mike Carmichael at 336-779-7310 (carmichaelm@wssu.edu) or Timothy Mulrooney at 336-779-7313 (mulrooneyti@wssu.edu) for further questions about the workshop.