Gregory J. Lestina, Jr.
KEY WORDS: Metadata, Documentation, Internet
ABSTRACT
The Census Bureau is trying to improve the way it provides statistical data and metadata to the
public. With recent developments in electronic telecommunications, it has become much easier
and more timely for users to receive data and metadata over the Internet or other digital media
such as CD-ROM. As electronic communication gets more popular, users are demanding the
availability of more types of information. One example is the large quantity of survey
documentation available at the Census Bureau. This documentation describes all aspects of
survey work: designs, processing steps, analyses, and datasets.
A substantial effort is underway to try to identify, locate, and provide access over the Internet to
these documentation resources. Significant research and development has been accomplished
toward developing a logically central repository that organizes statistical metadata. A prototype
repository has been developed.
This paper will discuss the issues involved in preparing, classifying, organizing, and accessing statistical metadata (especially documents) electronically through a logically central metadata repository at the Census Bureau. The paper will also discuss the progress made toward building the tools necessary to manage the information in the repository and how the repository can be used to enhance and manage operations at the agency.
