Gateway standardization: A quality assurance framework for metadata

Abstract

As digital library services develop from project demonstrators to mature, mission-critical services, it becomes necessary to develop and implement systematic procedures that will ensure the quality of the content, the functionality of the service, accessibility to a wide range of users and devices, and interoperability with other services. This article describes a quality assurance methodology that has been developed to support digital library programs in the United Kingdom higher and further education sectors. The article describes the approaches taken by the SOSIG subject gateway service in developing and maintaining a national service that is dependent on quality metadata. The article then outlines a quality assurance framework, which has been developed to support the Joint Information Systems Committee's (JISC) digital library programs in the UK and its application to metadata. The article concludes by describing a self-assessment toolkit that can be used by service providers to ensure that they have addressed the key areas. © 2005 The Board of Trustees, University of Illinois.