Emerging trends in metadata research

Abstract

Metadata can be used in a variety of environments, from library catalogs and research databases to data archives, proprietary knowledge bases, and the open web. Multiple sources for metadata creation exist, with metadata being generated by professionals, through automated techniques, and by the public at large. Information professionals are eager to share and leverage data sources to create new knowledge and feed the demand for new interoperable applications. There is great potential for improving discovery by weaving together traditional library metadata with social cataloging metadata to create a new scheme for representing information in library catalogs, institutional repositories, or digital libraries. Each of the researchers on this panel represents a unique perspective on the ways in which metadata research is unfolding and will continue to progress over the next few years. Drs. Erik Mitchell, Jane Greenberg, Eva Méndez Rodríguez, June Abbas, Alenka Šauperl, and Kathryn La Barre will discuss their current research streams, speaking to the above issues via an exemplary project they have chosen to describe. Interactivity between the panelists and among the audience members will be encouraged after the panelists have presented their projects for discussion.