Metadata plays a critical role in making collections discoverable, understandable, and usable, but knowing where to start can be challenging. This webinar provides a clear, practical introduction to foundational metadata concepts for collecting institutions. Participants will learn about common types of metadata, essential elements for describing materials, and approaches to file naming, controlled vocabularies, and basic schema use, including Dublin Core. The session will also introduce key considerations for rights statements, interoperability, and how metadata functions across systems and platforms. Designed for small and mid-sized organizations, this webinar emphasizes manageable, scalable approaches and real-world application.