The Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) Scholars Portal team is currently working on a major project to redevelop the Scholars GeoPortal repository to meet modern standards and evolving use cases since its launch in 2012. For the GeoPortal’s backend repository system, instead of upgrading its local custom ISO 19115-based metadata editor, the team is moving forward with migrating metadata collections and data files into Borealis, leveraging the metadata editing and publishing features in the open-source Dataverse repository. The goal is to integrate these Borealis (Dataverse) deposit and metadata workflows into the new Scholars GeoPortal catalogue and web mapping tools.
In support of the migration and ongoing metadata curation in Borealis, the team has developed a new expanded geospatial metadata block for Dataverse based on the international ISO 19115 metadata standard. This expanded metadata block will enable new use cases in Dataverse and strengthen the Scholars GeoPortal’s use of Borealis for the creation and management of geospatial metadata for enhanced discovery, sharing, and reuse.
The new expanded geospatial metadata block is now available for community testing and review:
- New Geo Metadata Test Dataverse (open to anyone)
- Community review and feedback form (open until March 30, 2026)
For more information about this geospatial metadata development including an overview of the new Dataverse geospatial metadata block fields based on ISO 19115, please visit the GeoPortal blog. At the moment, this information is only available in English as we develop testing workflows and documentation to support the community.
For any questions, please reach out to info@borealisdata.ca.