Preview Metadata

Before content is published or made available for licensing in the Digital Bible Library (DBL), contributors can use the Preview Metadata feature to review the information they’ve entered. This preview is a critical step in the publishing process, allowing teams to confirm that all required metadata is complete, correct, and ready for release. It also supports adherence to standards such as those outlined by FOBAI and enables informed collaboration across teams

Why Preview Metadata?

Previewing metadata ensures that your content is accurate and publication-ready. By using this feature, contributors can:

Confirm that all identifying, structural, and rights-related fields have been entered accurately
Identify and resolve missing or inconsistent metadata before finalizing an entry
Verify that the metadata complies with DBL standards and FOBAI guidelines
Share the metadata view for internal team review or external partner feedback, helping to align licensing, content, and publishing workflows

This step provides assurance that your scripture content will be properly understood, located, and used by others across the DBL ecosystem.

Accessing the Preview Function

To access the metadata preview in DBL:

Navigate to the Content Entry you are working on.
Go to the Publication Dashboard.
Select the Preview Metadata option or view the rendered metadata summary before submission.

This area provides a clear overview of your entry’s:

Descriptive Metadata (e.g., Language, Script, Country)
Rights Metadata (e.g., Copyright and Ownership)
Structural Metadata (e.g., Canon type and book structure)

Downloading metadata.xml

You can download a raw version of your metadata file (metadata.xml) for:

Internal archiving
Team review
Offline validation against schema standards
Troubleshooting or audit trail during content updates

Common Checks Before Publishing

Before finalizing your content, check the preview to confirm:

All required fields are filled (e.g., Language ISO code, Completion Date)
Canon and publication structure are correct
Rights holder and contributor information are accurate and complete
Visibility settings align with licensing intentions

Tip: Pair the metadata preview with the Metadata Worksheet to ensure every detail is aligned and updated.