Metadata in the Third Dimension: Describing 3D digital objects for access and preservation

Abstract

3D digitization, born-digital 3D objects, and Virtual Reality (VR) - the techniques to create these kinds of items and the access and scholarly research applications for these items within libraries and cultural heritage institutions are becoming more real (and less virtual) as costs come down and technical equipment becomes more friendly to use. IU already has 3D digital collections that are actively growing. We need a way to describe these items so they are discoverable and accessible for research use, even when that means extremely large files that can require specialized software to recreate or evaluate the models. We also need to be able to preserve 3D digital and VR objects. This talk will consider how we can accomplish these goals, the work currently occurring among libraries and cultural heritage institutions, and how best to apply metadata in the third dimension.