Presents the Framework of Guidance for Building Good Digital Collections that was developed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services with other organizations to guide museums and libraries in digitization collection practices. Highlights digital collections, digital objects, and metadata, and discusses reusability, persistence,…

Discusses the deficiencies of search engines and the importance of metadata and examines three models of metadata retrieval: distributed; distributed data with a centralized index; and centralized union catalog. Highlights include the Z39.50 protocol; the OAI (Open Archives Initiative) protocol; virtual union catalogs; and a pan-European model.…

Explains the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) Protocol for Metadata Harvesting and its impact on digital libraries and information retrieval by transferring metadata from one server to another in a network of information systems. Highlights include data providers; service providers; value-added services; Dublin Core metadata; data transfer;…

Discussion of the maintenance of digital data focuses on research conducted at Loughborough University (United Kingdom) to investigate the potential of the metadata concept as the key to universal data management. Topics include attitudes of information professionals in the United Kingdom, reasons for preserving digital data, and the role of…

This paper considers situations for which detailed metadata descriptions of learning resources are necessary, and focuses on human generation of such metadata. It describes a model which facilitates human production of good quality metadata by the development and use of structured vocabularies. Using examples, this model is applied to single and…

An unprecedented amount of information encompassing almost every facet of human activities across the world is generated daily in the form of zeros and ones, and that is often the only form in which such information is recorded. A good fraction of this information needs to be preserved for periods of time ranging from a few years to centuries.…

Collaborative e-learning delivers many enhancements to e-learning technology; it enables students to collaborate with each other and improves their learning efficiency. Semantic blog combines semantic Web and blog technology that users can import, export, view, navigate, and query the blog. We developed a semantic course blog for collaborative…

Libraries are integrating Web 2.0 services into work practices, positioning themselves in online social environments, and deploying enhanced search and discovery tools. Collections conversely are not progressing to the same degree. Like many public services today, library budgets are stained. User-pay options are appearing in library systems,…

Selecting appropriate learning services for a learner from a large number of heterogeneous knowledge sources is a complex and challenging task. This article illustrates and discusses how Semantic Web technologies such as RDF [resource description framework] and ontology can be applied to e-learning systems to help the learner in selecting an…

This paper discusses the metadata created for other purposes as a potential source of bibliographic data. The first section addresses collecting metadata by means of templates, including the Nordic Metadata Project's Dublin Core Metadata Template. The second section considers potential partnerships for re-purposing metadata for bibliographic use,…

Resource description (cataloging or indexing) is undergoing scrutiny with the growth of and access to digital resources. This article describes the evolving means of making documents and document-like objects bibliographically accessible by the library cataloging community. Discusses metadata elements, library cataloging objectives and record…

Discusses reusable digital learning resources or objects in distance education and training. Focuses on the pivotal role of metadata and issues relating to classification, description, and meaning, specifically issues of semantics; and describes the CanCore Learning Object Metadata Application Profile. (Author/LRW)

Discusses learning objects that encompass a learning activity so they are more than just a digital resource. Reports on a feasibility study for metadata to record process-oriented information about instructional approaches for learning objects, through a set of Educational Rationale tags which would allow authors to describe their design intent.…

Discusses the properties that distinguish learning object from other forms of educational software, including global accessibility, metadata standards, finer granularity and reusability, and their implications for evaluation. Proposes a convergent participation model for learning object evaluation and reviews other evaluation models that have been…

This special issue is a compilation of documents from the seminar organized by ICSTI (International Council for Scientific and Technical Information), ICSU (International Council for Science), and CODATA (ICSU Committee on Data for Science and Technology). Focuses on preserving and archiving digital scientific data and discusses electronic…