The Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN) which is mandated to coordinate GIS activities across the Commonwealth will implement a geospatial metadata clearinghouse to support the needs of local and state agency stakeholders in the summer of 2007. This effort is timely. Approximately 125 of Virginia's geospatial stakeholders were provided with introductory metadata training during the summer 2006 - winter 2007. These stakeholders are now armed with metadata development tools, and understand the importance of metadata implementation. The implementation of the metadata clearinghouse accompanied by follow-up training through the Virginia Metadata Academy will further support metadata development and publishing among Virginia's geospatial community.

The Virginia Metadata Academy provides an array of metadata educational opportunities to meet the diverse metadata training needs and capabilities of local and state government users, as well as Virginia's private sector and other stakeholders.

The Virginia Metadata Academy consists of three different metadata workshop opportunities, including (click title to receive a description of a particular workshop):

1. Metadata Creator Workshops (Basic)
2. Metadata Retreats (Intermediate)
3. Metadata Clearinghouse Implementation Options (Advanced)

Did you know?
A recent informal evaluation of Virginia's geospatial stakeholders found that:

• Only 50% admitted that their organization/agency currently had no metadata records;
• Only 4% stated that their organization had adopted a metadata process;
• Only 4% maintained that metadata was "included in any job description" (for new hirees)...;
• 67% maintained that they would be interested in posting their metadata on a state maintained metadata clearinghouse.

Metadata is more than just "data about data". Metadata serves as a critical resource for organizations at all levels of government, and the private sector. Metadata characterizes geospatial data investments, and serves to support the cataloging of information that is tied to GPS, GIS, and remote sensing data catalogues. Geospatial metadata effectively serves as a documented record designed to protect the geospatial data investments of any organization. In addition, metadata provides users throughout your organization with information about your data assets. Geospatial metadata is a fundamental component in the development of geospatial data catalogues and clearinghouses. Finally, geospatial metadata provides information to process and interpret data received through a transfer from an external source. Metadata supports the efficient sharing of data resources both within, and between organizations.

This workshop is appropriate for anyone working with geospatial (GIS, GPS, Remote Sensing) data. Geospatial users at all levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) are encouraged to attend. Local government personnel are strongly encouraged to attend, as are regional, state and federal agency personnel, stakeholders associated with non profit institutions, as well as other geospatial stakeholders.

Lyle Hornbaker (VGIN) John McGee, Ph.D. (Virginia Tech), John Owens, (VGIN) and James W. Wilson, Ph.D. (JMU) bring a wealth of experience in all areas of metadata creation and implementation. These instructors have extensive experience working with local, regional, state, and national, and international government agencies, as well as the private sector.

For More Information Contact: