Capturing meta data on a different kind of data

In 2004 the Bank of Canada implemented a meta data repository to provide economists, analysts, researchers and business data managers with easy access to information about the statistical data they use and produce in their work. The web based, bilingual (French and English) application allows staff members working with economic and financial data to easily determine what statistical data are available, to acquire information about these data such as their sources and to locate specific data objects (time series, formulas). The repository facilitates the re-use and sharing of statistical data resources by also capturing information on corporate applications and projects that use and create statistical data. This paper describes the reasons for the creation of the repository, the challenges experienced and overcome, the lessons learned and the rewards since implementation.