Metadata Creation Practices in Digital Repositories and Collections: Schemata, Selection Criteria, and Interoperability

Jung-Ran Park,Yuji Tosaka

doi:10.6017/ital.v29i3.3136

Abstract

This study explores the current state of metadata-creation practices across digital repositories and collections by using data collected from a nationwide survey of mostly cataloging and metadata professionals. Results show that MARC, AACR2, and LCSH are the most widely used metadata schema, content standard, and subjectcontrolled vocabulary, respectively. Dublin Core (DC) is the second most widely used metadata schema, followed by EAD, MODS, VRA, and TEI. Qualified DC’s wider use vis-à-vis Unqualified DC (40.6 percent versus 25.4 percent) is noteworthy. The leading criteria in selecting metadata and controlled-vocabulary schemata are collection-specific considerations, such as the types of resources, nature of the collection, and needs of primary users and communities. Existing technological infrastructure and staff expertise also are significant factors contributing to the current use of metadata schemata and controlled vocabularies for subject access across distributed digital repositories and collections. Metadata interoperability remains a major challenge. There is a lack of exposure of locally created metadata and metadata guidelines beyond the local environments. Homegrown locally added metadata elements may also hinder metadata interoperability across digital repositories and collections when there is a lack of sharable mechanisms for locally defined extensions and variants.

Highlights

This study explores the current state of metadata-creation practices across digital repositories and collections by using data collected from a nationwide survey of mostly cataloging and metadata professionals
The objective of the research reported in this paper is to examine the current state of metadata-creation practices in terms of the creation of descriptive metadata elements, the use of controlled vocabularies for subject access, and the exposure of metadata and metadata guidelines beyond local environments
We will present the findings of this study in the following three areas: (1) metadata and controlled vocabulary schemata and metadata tools used, (2) criteria for selecting metadata and controlled vocabulary schemata, and (3) exposing metadata and metadata guidelines beyond local environments

Summary

Introduction

This study explores the current state of metadata-creation practices across digital repositories and collections by using data collected from a nationwide survey of mostly cataloging and metadata professionals. Given the propagation of metadata projects, it is important to continue to track changes in metadata-creation practices while they are still in constant flux Such efforts are essential for adding new perspectives to digital library research and practices in an environment where metadata best practices are being actively sought after to aid in the creation and management of high-quality digital collections. Mostly drawn from the community of cataloging and metadata professionals, we seek to investigate issues in creating descriptive metadata elements, using controlled vocabularies for subject access, and propagating metadata and metadata guidelines beyond local environments.

Methods

Results

Conclusion