PREMIS Data Dictionary for Preservation Metadata

PREservation Metadata: Implementation Strategies (PREMIS) is the de facto digital preservation metadata standard maintained by the Library of Congress and the PREMIS Editorial Committee. It provides a comprehensive data dictionary and accompanying XML schema for implementing preservation metadata in digital archiving systems. PREMIS defines the essential information needed to ensure the long-term usability and accessibility of digital objects within preservation repositories.

The PREMIS data model consists of four interrelated entities: Objects (subdivided into intellectual objects, files, bitstreams, and representations), Events, Agents, and Rights. This framework enables repositories to capture technical metadata about digital files, document preservation actions and transformations over time, identify responsible parties, and manage copyright and licensing constraints. The current version 3.0, released in 2015, incorporates practical guidance and semantic units that support migration, emulation, and other preservation strategies necessary when digital formats become obsolete.