An encoding scheme is a standardized format for describing an aspect of a digital resource. Wisconsin Heritage Online recommends the use of particular encoding schemes for specific metadata elements (for more information, see the WHO Metadata Worksheet). These recommendations depend on the type of resource you are digitizing. Many of the most widely-used schemes are available in full online. The full Library of Congress Thesaurus for Graphic Materials is also provided with the CONTENTdm Project Client. Follow the links in the table to access these resources.

Controlled Vocabulary Text Files

In addition to improving organization and findability, these standardized lists serve as a form of quality control. The staff or volunteers conducting data entry can choose terms from a pre-approved list rather than repeatedly type in terms by hand. You can download these text files and import them into CONTENTdm to use during the data entry process. These are NOT definitive lists of terms--you can add or modify them based on the needs of your project. Download the text files individually below or click here for all the lists.

• Type (of original material)
• Format (of digital file)
• Date (preferred format for date ranges; if resource covers more than one date range, use semicolon to separate; i.e. 1870-1879; 1880-1889)
• Format.medium
• Wisconsin communities (Coverage.spatial)
• Wisconsin counties (Coverage.spatial)
• Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)--Wisconsin-centric subject terms 
• Railroad rolling stock 
• Railroad companies 
• LC railroad subject headings 
• Railroad structures