Metadata and Its Impact on Libraries (Library and Information Science Text Series) [Hardcover]

Jean Weihs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1591581451 | ISBN-13: 978-1591581451 | Edition: 1

Three mavens of the cataloging world tackle the topic of metadata, explaining fundamental concepts and their accompanying rationales, as well as exploring current developments and future innovations in the library world. Part One examines the characteristics of multiple metadata schema, the creation of metadata for both monographic and continuous electronic resources, and its integration into local catalogs and databases. Part Two explores metadata's effect on current developments in online reference, choice of metadata schema, archiving, and digital preservation, and professional education, as well as future innovations yet unborn. A must-read for sophisticated information specialists, as well as for those who aspire to similar heights of intellectual worldliness.

We believe that the community of information professionals who have organized and preserved the world's written treasures for thousands of years will not fail to continue to organize and preserve the world's digital treasures in the future, demonstrating their usual sensitivity and creativity, remembering the lessons history has taught them, and keeping in mind the interests of all their user communities, present and future, as they have always done.

With these bold words, three mavens of the cataloging world tackle the topic of metadata. Undaunted by its dominance in the lexicon and collective consciousness of the library profession, they deftly anatomize the concept of data about data into discrete aspects (Metadata), then relate those aspects to a miscellany of circumstances in which librarians may increasingly find themselves (Its Impact on Libraries). Part One examines the characteristics of multiple metadata schema, the creation of metadata for both monographic and continuous electronic resources, and its integration into local catalogs and databases. Part Two explores metadata's effect on current developments in online reference, choice of metadata schema, archiving and digital preservation, and professional education, as well as future innovations yet unborn. A must-read for sophisticated information specialists, as well as those who aspire to similar heights of intellectual worldliness.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In recent years, metadata (data about data) has been the subject of countless discussions, research projects, and articles. This useful book does much to clarify the distinctions and complexities of the subject. Part 1 of the text opens with various definitions of metadata, defining its scope, focus, and division into categories. Subsequent chapters discuss library and information-related metadata schemas, specifying how to create library metadata for monographs and continuing resources, including their integration into local catalogs and databases. Part 2 is devoted to archiving and preserving digital materials, focusing on the impact on library services and future possibilities. The writing throughout the book is clear and supported by copious citations, figures, and screen shots. Two chapters boast sample exercises with answer keys, allowing readers to try their hand at cataloging and classifying metadata. Overall, a fine work that has much to recommend it. Sean Kinder
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"This book is a synthesis of theory and practice surrounding metadata and its applications within particular disciplinary communities and digital library projects….Thoughtful consideration of the purposes of metadata, often illustrated through descriptions of stakeholders and motivations for the development of particular approaches, is a notable strength of the text."

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Reference & User Services Quarterly

"Noted catalogers Intner, Susan S. Lazinger, and Jean Weihs have written an excellent text suitable for either students or librarians on the job who need guidance in preparing metadata. The book begins with an introductory description of metadata and an overview of some schemas, but the meat is in the two chapters devoted to creating bibliographic records as metadata for electronic monographic materials and continuing resources. Some familiarity with MARC and AACR2 is imperative, but anyone with even a modicum of cataloging experience will find the explanations and examples informative….Highly recommended for catalogers and other information professionals who need to understand the relationship between metadata and traditional bibliographic control."

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Library Journal

"In recent years, metadata (data about data) has been the subject of countless discussions, research projects, and articles. This useful book does much to clarify the distinctions and complexities of the subject….The writing throughout the book is clear and supported by copious citations, figures, and screen shots. Two chapters boast sample exercises with answer keys, allowing readers to try their hand at cataloging and classifying metadata. Overall, a fine work that has much to recommend it."

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Booklist/Professional Reading

"[A] useful book for both students….and for early stage researchers in the area of metadata….this book is easy to read and follow throughout."

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Webology

"The organization of this hard-backed book augments the clarity with which the authors present their material….[t]his is a clearly written book with several unusual aspects that make it very useful for catalog librarians."

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Technicalities

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited; 1 edition (December 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591581451
• ISBN-13: 978-1591581451
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,095,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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