Showing papers in "Journal of Library Metadata in 2008"

Dublin Core Metadata Harvested Through OAI-PMH

Abstract: The introduction in 2001 of the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH) increased interest in and awareness of metadata quality issues relevant to digital library interoperability and the use of harvested metadata to build “union catalogs” of digital information resources. Practitioners have offered wide-ranging advice to metadata authors and have suggested metrics useful for measuring the quality of shareable metadata. Is there evidence of changes in metadata practice in response to such advice and/or as a result of an increased awareness of the importance of metadata interoperability? This paper looks at metadata records created over a six-year period that have been harvested by the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and reports on quantitative and qualitative analyses of changes observed over time in shareable metadata quality.

The Peloponnesian War and the Future of Reference, Cataloging, and Scholarship in Research Libraries

Abstract: The paper is an examination of the overall principles and practices of both reference service and cataloging operations in the promotion of scholarly research, pointing out important differences no...

Will Google's Keyword Searching Eliminate the Need for LC Cataloging and Classification?

Abstract: Google Print does not “change everything” regarding the need for professional cataloging and classification of books; its limitations make cataloging and classification even more important to researchers. Google's keyword search mechanism, backed by the display of results in “relevance ranked” order, is expressly designed and optimized for quick information-seeking rather than scholarship. Internet keyword searching does not provide scholars with the structured menus of research options, such as those in OPAC browse displays, which they need for overview perspectives on the book literature of their topics. Keyword searching fails to map the taxonomies that alert researchers to unanticipated aspects of their subjects. It fails to retrieve literature that uses keywords other than those the researcher can specify; it misses not only synonyms and variant phrases but also all relevant works in foreign languages. Searching by keywords is not the same as searching by conceptual categories. Google softwa...

Where Keywords Fail: Using Metadata to Facilitate Digital Humanities Scholarship

Abstract: Primary sources are foundational to digital humanities research. Their study is a valuable part of developing critical thinking skills in students. Enhancing access to these “hidden” resources through digitization is a valuable service to scholars, students, and educators. However, merely scanning and providing full-text keyword searchability may not fully meet the needs of digital humanities scholars. Abbreviations, obsolete and regional word usage, idioms, misspellings and alternate spellings, and omissions in primary sources make keyword searching difficult. The addition of metadata in the form of normalized name headings and topics greatly enhances the research experience and saves the time of users.

Social Tagging in the Web 2.0 Environment: Author vs. User Tagging

Abstract: Social tagging increasingly attracts the attention of information scientists Much research has focused on large-scale assessment of tag sets in systems The reasons for tagging remain uncertain To date, the library and information science (LIS) field has not explicitly explored the differences between author-supplied metadata (endo-tagging) and user-supplied metadata (exo-tagging) This article reviews a number of studies on social tagging and recommends further user-centered research into motivation; proposed research could be carried out in conjunction with studies focusing on the different reasons for endo- and exo-tagging

News Photographers, Librarians, Tags, and Controlled Vocabularies: Balancing the Forces

Abstract: This article discusses a survey distributed to photojournalism professionals in order to determine their metadata preferences for photograph retrieval in an online archival system. Their top preferences included: named objects, specific events occurring in the photograph, browsing, and photographer-supplied keywords. Findings included problems with news photographers' metadata quality as well as librarians' inability to supply all the necessary metadata in this context. Additionally, it was found that current controlled vocabulary methods are not useful for the photojournalists' setting. New approaches to better facilitate search and retrieval of news photographs are suggested.

The Changing Nature of the Catalog and Its Integration with Other Discovery Tools. Final Report : March 17, 2006. Prepared for the Library of Congress by Karen Calhoun. A Critical Review

Abstract: According to the Calhoun report, library operations that are not digital, that do not result in resources that are remotely accessible, that involve professional human judgement or expertise, or that require conceptual categorization and standardization rather than relevance-ranking of keywords, do not fit into its proposed “leadership” strategy. This strategy itself, however, is based on an inappropriate business model-and a misrepresentation of that business model to begin with. The Calhoun report draws unjustified conclusions about the digital age, inflates wishful thinking, fails to make critical distinctions, and disregards (as well as mischaracterizes) an alternative “niche” strategy for research libraries, to promote scholarship (rather than increase “market position”). Its recommendations to eliminate Library of Congress subject headings, and to use “fast turnaround” time as the “gold standard” in cataloging, are particularly unjustified, and would have serious negative consequences for t...

You Need My Metadata : Demonstrating the Value of Library Cataloging

Abstract: How do we demonstrate the value of cataloging to doubting library administrators? What sort of data need to be gathered to support this effort? Catalogers face a dilemma in that they often have to endure misunderstanding of their jobs from colleagues, patrons, and, most unfortunately, administrators. If the library cataloging practice is to continue evolving then administrators should be informed of the long- and short-term effects of investing in professional catalogers and cataloging departments. This paper examines cataloging practice from the point of view of library administrators with the aim of clarifying strategies that will ensure both quality of cataloging and the longevity of the cataloging process. In order to do this, we must demonstrate the quality of our work as it relates to funding, information systems, and the indispensable library patrons.

Promoting Shareability: Metadata Activities of the DLF Aquifer Initiative

Abstract: This article describes the progress of the Digital Library Federation's Aquifer Metadata Working Group and demonstrates a model for the construction, application, and testing of collaboratively developed best practices for sharing metadata in the digital library environment We set the metadata aggregation context in which the Aquifer initiative began, describe the development of a set of implementation guidelines for shareable Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS) records and their supporting documentation and tools, and discuss how this work has contributed to the understanding of what features metadata describing primary source and humanities-based resources needs in order to support scholarly use We end with a summary of future efforts for the Aquifer initiative, and how its lessons can be applied in other metadata harvesting environments

The Social Life of Metadata: Arguments from Utility for Shared Database Management (A Response to Banush and LeBlanc)

Abstract: In Banush and LeBlanc (2007), the utilitarianism of Bentham was resurrected and offered as a “philosophical backdrop for dealing with competing library choices.” This article discusses two serious ...

Cataloging 2.0: Metadata Research and Initiatives at a Community College Library

Abstract: In this viewpoint essay, we argue that combining cataloging and other standard metadata practices with user-developed tags and folksonomies is a good way to improve subject access to resources. Using tags aligns with the foundational principles of cataloging. Catalogers know better than most the care and precision that goes into creating and updating Library of Congress Subject Headings. We are often frustrated by our difficulty describing digital controlled vocabularies used in academic libraries, especially resources that are gaining importance to educators such as video games and web resources. At our community college library, we are incorporating tags into our collections' metadata in order to improve subject access.

OCLC's Work with the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set

Abstract: OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) involvement with the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set dates to 1995, when it hosted a meeting of parties interested in metadata schema for use in the World Wide Web environment. The Dublin Core Metadata Element Set grew from the conversations at that meeting. Since that time, OCLC has developed within its cataloging interfaces functionalities to allow OCLC libraries to implement Dublin Core elements. This article provides a brief overview of OCLC's efforts in this area.

Digital Collections: Transforming the Work of Libraries

Abstract: While recent years have seen an increase in the number of digital collections being produced by academic, public, and special libraries, these endeavors represent a new direction. Libraries engaged in initiating, implementing, and maintaining digital collections are expanding their traditional roles of collecting, organizing, and providing access to resources. Their new roles include creating content and in some ways, also creating the access. Libraries are involved in the “business” of producing digital collections–a task made possible and also easier by the technology developed and available, but a task often begun with scant initial funding and achieved by “converting” staff members already dedicated to other tasks at the institution. This article will look to the bright future and usability of digital collections, while remembering digitization's humble beginnings and the lessons we are learning along the way.

Cataloging Images in Millennium: A Central Repository for Faculty-Owned Images

Abstract: The College of the Holy Cross implemented a pilot project to test the feasibility of using MilMedia and Metadata Builder (Innovative Interfaces, Inc.) to store and catalog images created by Holy Cross faculty. Five personal collections have been added: original artwork, stained glass images, vascular plant images, Chinese cultural images, and American classical architecture images. A workflow involving the faculty, Educational Technology staff, Cataloging staff and student workers has been established. Over 1,000 images have been added to the online catalog. Each set of images may be retrieved by collection name.