Resource Discovery
Provides structured information that can help users discover collection objects and related resources.
Collection Data Format
LIDO – Lightweight Information Describing Objects
A format for contributing collection object information for resource discovery.
What is LIDO?
LIDO is designed to support the exchange and aggregation of information about collection objects. Its primary role is resource discovery: helping collection information become searchable, understandable, and accessible across systems.
LIDO can be used to represent descriptive information about
cultural heritage objects and related collection resources
in a structured, interoperable form.
Key characteristics
LIDO-based records can bring together descriptive, administrative, and resource-related information.
Structured Data
Represents collection information using a defined XML-based structure suitable for data exchange.
Interoperability
Supports the exchange of collection information between collection management systems, aggregators, and discovery environments.
Object Descriptions
Can contain descriptive information about collection objects, including titles, classifications, and subjects.
Events
Collection information can describe events associated with an object, such as creation, acquisition, or use.
Digital Resources
Records can connect object descriptions with related digital resources and representations.
Conceptual record structure
A LIDO record can organize information around an object, its identification, events, relationships, and resources.
LIDO Record
│
├── Object Identification
│ ├── Title
│ ├── Object Type
│ ├── Classification
│ └── Identifiers
│
├── Object Description
│ ├── Description
│ ├── Measurements
│ └── Subject
│
├── Events
│ ├── Event Type
│ ├── Date
│ ├── Place
│ ├── Actor
│ └── Event Description
│
├── Related Objects
│ └── Relationships
│
└── Resources
├── Digital Resource
├── Resource Type
└── Resource Link
From collection to discovery
A typical information flow can move from collection data through structured records toward discovery services.
Collect
Gather descriptive and administrative information about the collection object.
Describe
Organize the information into appropriate structured object and event descriptions.
Exchange
Provide structured collection records to systems that consume or aggregate collection information.
Discover
Enable users and discovery services to find collection objects and their associated resources.
Example object record
The following is a simplified conceptual example of the information that could be represented for a collection object.
Object Identifier: OBJECT-0001 Title: Example Collection Object Object Type: Artwork Description An example descriptive record for resource discovery. Event Type: Creation Date: 1900 Place: Example Location Resource Type: Image Format: image/jpeg URL: https://example.org/resource/object-0001.jpg