Subject metadata from the other side. Sponsored by SIG CR

Abstract

AbstractProfessional indexers are often preferred for creating high quality subject metadata because of their expert knowledge (Weinheimer, 2000), but they are costly and limited in availability (Griffin & Thomas, 1999). This fact, together with the continued rapid growth of the World Wide Web (web), have encouraged other classes of persons' to be involved in subject metadata production (Lynch, 1997). Precedent exists in the print environment where authors contribute subject keywords and abstracts to scientific and scholarly publications, which are then used in commercial information systems. Can authors create good quality subject metadata for web‐based digital resources? What other classes of persons, without professional training, might assign subject metadata to digital resources? What tools are there to assist non‐professionals in producing subject metadata? This panel examines these questions. Specific topics addressed include the creation of subject metadata by government employees and research scientists who have subject expertise but no professional training in metadata creation, implicit subject metadata found on a sample of webpages documenting Central America, and an overview of FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology), a tool that makes Library of Congress Subject Headings' (LCSH) rich vocabulary easier to understand and use.