What are metadata?
^ “Metadata” literally means data about data. Metadata documentation may explain things such as the source, currentness or quality of a dataset. Metadata help people using geographic information determine if a dataset meets their needs or is appropriate for a particular use. While metadata are an important part of data sharing, they can also greatly benefit the data producing organization. For example, as personnel change, undocumented data may lose value. New employees may have little understanding of the contents of and uses for a dataset and may find they cannot trust results generated from these data. Additionally, a lack of knowledge about a dataset may lead to duplication of effort. Good metadata will increase the value of a dataset and give users of the data the confidence that they are using the data appropriately. For more information, see the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata pages as well as the Metadata Resources Page from the MN Land Management Information
