Batch loading in metadata creation: a case study
| Pages | 538-549 |
| Published date | 09 August 2011 |
| Date | 09 August 2011 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471111156786 |
| Author | Li Sun |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Batch loading in metadata
creation: a case study
Li Sun
Technical and Automated Services, Rutgers University Libraries,
Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a workflow of automated batch-loading metadata
from existing text to a database.
Design/methodology/approach – It introduces a case for the experience of metadata creation at
Rutgers University Libraries in a collaborative digital project with the Hoboken Public Library in New
Jersey.
Findings – It is found that a well-designed workflow is crucial to the success of metadata batch
loading. It is also found that the metadata manager needs to collaborate with people of different roles
and work carefully with data reorganization and transfer.
Practical implications – Metadata creation and management are an integrated component of any
digital project. One’s experience in metadata batch loading has practical significance that may be
incorporated into the practice of other metadata projects. The workflow introduced in this paper will
provide a valuable example for librarians and information professionals to consider or redesign their
own digital efforts.
Originality/value – Based on a real exercise, this workflow has been proven to be unique and useful.
It was, after the writing of this paper, applied to a new collaborative digital project and once again
fulfilled the requirements for another batch-transferring process.
Keywords Metadata, Batchprocessing, Work flow, Digital projects
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Metadata creation has been extensively discussed in the literature of digitization
(e.g. Hillmann and Westbrooks, 2004; Lopatin, 2006). Many of the previous studies of
metadata creation and management have talked about various situations of metadata
mapping which are related to the topic of metadata batch loading. The practical
significance of metadata batch loading for digital initiatives is obvious. Many
collections, while being digitized and brought up online, have textual descriptions that
can be potentially conveyed into metadata to describe the collection items. Even
born-digital items may need reorganization or moving of their metadata for varying
purposes. Reuse of obtainable textual descriptions for metadata will save considerable
resources in terms of the investment of time and energy of metadata managers.
The transferring of text to metadata can be facilitated by automated batch loading
through computer applications. This process, however, requires tremendous human
intervention to reorganize original text, map to appropriate metadata structure,
monitor the loading process, and control the quality of the transfer throughout. The
procedure that a metadata manager has followed for handling a loading will determine
how well the loading is taken and thus how well the quality of the generated metadata
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
EL
29,4
538
Received March 2010
Revised May 2010
Accepted June 2010
The Electronic Library
Vol. 29 No. 4, 2011
pp. 538-549
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640471111156786
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