Metadata
Metadata is at the heart of how users discover, organise, and manage assets in ResourceSpace. It provides the labels and descriptive information users search with, while also helping administrators control permissions and access to resources once they’re found.
Traditional folder structures can be limiting because a resource often belongs in more than one category. An image of an elephant, for example, could reasonably sit under ‘animals’, ‘Africa’, ‘wildlife’, or ‘conservation’. In a folder-based system, users may need to check several locations before finding it. With metadata tagging, the same resource can be found instantly through any relevant keyword or search term.
Rich metadata makes searching faster, more accurate, and more flexible. Users can combine multiple search parameters to narrow results and locate exactly what they need without browsing through large folder trees.
Rather than relying on folders, ResourceSpace uses collections, which work more like saved groups or bookmarks. Collections can be created around projects, campaigns, events, or themes, while the resources themselves continue to exist independently within the wider system.
Collections are useful for organising and sharing related resources, but metadata remains the most effective way to search and retrieve assets quickly at scale.
See also Fixed list metadata.