Annusele

Annusele is a term used in information science and digital archiving to denote a lightweight metadata annotation attached to a data object to capture its provenance and contextual information without altering the original content. The concept emphasizes backward-compatible enhancements to data objects, enabling interoperable metadata exchange across systems.

Origins and meaning: The term appeared in professional discussions in the 2020s among archivists and metadata specialists as a portable annotation mechanism. It is not tied to a single standard and is often implemented as a separate metadata layer or embedded JSON-LD block that can accompany a file, record, or dataset.

Structure and elements: An annusele annotation typically includes fields such as annotator or originator, timestamp, version, rationale, and references to related objects. It may also carry policy-related tags that indicate access restrictions or retention rules. Implementation varies by platform, but the core idea is to preserve context without modifying the original item.

Impact and reception: Proponents argue annusele improves data lineage and trust by making provenance explicit. Critics point to potential redundancy or fragmentation if multiple annusele annotations accumulate.

See also: Metadata, Provenance, Data stewardship.

Notes: The term is used informally in several communities and may not correspond to a formal standard.