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For many years metadata has been recognised as a significant component of the digital information environment. Substantial work has gone into creating complex metadata schemes for…
Abstract
For many years metadata has been recognised as a significant component of the digital information environment. Substantial work has gone into creating complex metadata schemes for describing digital content. Yet increasingly Web search engines, and Google in particular, are the primary means of discovering and selecting digital resources, although they make little use of metadata. This article considers how digital libraries can gain more value from their metadata by adapting it for Google users, while still following well‐established principles and standards for cataloguing and digital preservation.
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The purpose of this article is to use real examples to show how issues such as authority, currency, preservation, sustainability and trust are interrelated and can be affected by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to use real examples to show how issues such as authority, currency, preservation, sustainability and trust are interrelated and can be affected by user contributions to digital libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Several specific user requests to change digital library content are summarised, along with the relevant responses, to illustrate issues of library management and policy.
Findings
The examples demonstrate the need to adopt consistent but flexible policies for content updating, so that conflicting principles or requests can be handled effectively.
Practical implications
The issues raised are likely to be relevant to anyone responsible for managing or updating digital library content.
Originality/value
By illustrating the relationship between specific small scale actions and significant long term issues, the paper highlights the need for digital libraries to follow a holistic approach to content management, and to think globally while acting locally.
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This paper aims to show how information in digital collections that have been catalogued using high‐quality metadata can be retrieved more easily by users of search engines such…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to show how information in digital collections that have been catalogued using high‐quality metadata can be retrieved more easily by users of search engines such as Google.
Design/methodology/approach
The research and proposals described arose from an investigation into the observed phenomenon that pages from the Glasgow Digital Library (gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk) were regularly appearing near the top of Google search results shortly after publication, without any deliberate effort to achieve this. The reasons for this phenomenon are now well understood and are described in the second part of the paper. The first part provides context with a review of the impact of Google and a summary of recent initiatives by commercial publishers to make their content more visible to search engines.
Findings
The literature research provides firm evidence of a trend amongst publishers to ensure that their online content is indexed by Google, in recognition of its popularity with internet users. The practical research demonstrates how search engine accessibility can be compatible with use of established collection management principles and high‐quality metadata.
Originality/value
The concept of data shoogling is introduced, involving some simple techniques for metadata optimisation. Details of its practical application are given, to illustrate how those working in academic, cultural and public‐sector organisations could make their digital collections more easily accessible via search engines, without compromising any existing standards and practices.
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MRS ANN DAVINSON has been appointed as Branch Librarian of the newly opened Barlby Branch of the East Riding County Library. Mrs Davinson has previously worked with Middlesbrough…
Abstract
MRS ANN DAVINSON has been appointed as Branch Librarian of the newly opened Barlby Branch of the East Riding County Library. Mrs Davinson has previously worked with Middlesbrough, Whitby and Widnes Public Libraries.
VINE is produced at least four times a year with the object of providing up‐to‐date news of work being done in the automation of library housekeeping processes, principally in the…
Abstract
VINE is produced at least four times a year with the object of providing up‐to‐date news of work being done in the automation of library housekeeping processes, principally in the UK. It is edited and substantially written by the Information Office for Library Automation based in Southampton University Library and supported by a grant from the British Library Research and Development Department. Copyright for VINE articles rests with the British Library Board, but opinions expressed in VINE do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the British Library. The subscription for 1981 and 1982 for VINE is £20 for UK subscribers and £23 for overseas subscribers — subscription year runs from January to December.