Week 5 Reading Notes

Setting the Stage- Metadata

·      Metadata- data about data

o   Used to design and preserve information systems and resources

o   Goals is to provide interoperability

o   Metadata describes information objects

§  3 key features- content, context, structure

·      i.e. Subject, author, format…etc.

·      Web technologies have resulted in metadata no longer being utilized solely by information professionals

o   User-created metadata

§  Inexpensive way to augment existing data

§  Quality control…disadvantage?

·      Metadata management

·      Library metadata develop focuses on providing physical and intellectual access to materials

o   Indexes, abstracts, bibliographic records

o   Shared through OPAC’s

·      Metadata helps preserve context and assists and authenticates an object (in a museum or archival setting)

·      Additional kinds of metadata and data

o   Digital information systems require a wide range of tasks and activities, creating new aspects that need to be recorded

§  i.e. acquisition records, licensing agreements, etc.

·      Many different interpretations for metadata use

o   Describes an object

o   documents how an object behaves

§  function and use

§  relationship to other information objects

o   management instructions and documentation

o   Theories and practice vary between professions and institutions

·      Types of metadata

o   Administrative

§  Used in managing and administering collections

o   Descriptive

§  Used to identify and describe

o   Preservation

§  Preservation management

o   Technical

§  Related to how a system or metadata behaves and functions

o   Use

§  Level and type of use the collection receives

Metadata is important for documenting information objects in any collection, but I feel it is especially important to have detailed and accurate metadata for digital collections. Digital object are often manipulated and changed as technology and the need of the collection advance. With accurate metadata the essence of the digital work can still be preserved through documentation. Every time that a document is altered or converted into a different file type, updating the metadata ensures that the preservation and authenticity of the original document remains in tact.

An Overview of the Dublin Core Data Model

·      DCMI

o   Intended to support and foster consensus across disciplines for discover-oriented descriptions in electronic environments

§  Interoperability

·      Core set of semantics through schema

The use of DCMI seems to allow for greater interoperability between institutions. When metadata has fixed subjects and language use, it allows for easier and more comprehensive searching, especially across databases. Also, utilizing fixed metadata fields allows information professionals to share their records using applications like the OPAC.

Using Mendeley for Research Management

I must admit that I have never actually used Mendeley before. When I first arrived at Pitt, the professors highly recommended it and I did sign up on their website…I just never got around to actually installing it on my computer. After reading this article, I am more inclined to actually follow through with my install .I had no idea that it provided so many add-on features. I thought that it was simply a bibliography builder. I think this could be a great tool for organizing information for papers and even for finding similar research. I can definitely see how article would need good, detailed metadata for applications like Mendeley to work effectively though. Metadata need to be interoperable and accurately depict the correct subject matter in order for the search functions to garner proper results.