Metadata creation practices at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources library’s institutional repository
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-09-2022-0074 |
| Published date | 31 January 2023 |
| Date | 31 January 2023 |
| Pages | 205-219 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Records management & preservation,Information repositories |
| Author | Gobbrey George Chapepa,Fiskani Ngwira,Patrick Mapulanga |
Metadata creation practices at the
Lilongwe University of
Agriculture and Natural
Resources library’s
institutional repository
Gobbrey George Chapepa
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Library, Lilongwe,Malawi
Fiskani Ngwira
Department of Information Science, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu, Malawi, and
Patrick Mapulanga
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences Libraries, Lilongwe, Malawi
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this study was to investigate metadata creation practices in a functional
academic institution repository in Malawi, with a specific focus on the Lilongwe University of Agriculture
and Natural Resources(LUANAR) library.
Design/methodology/approach –The study used a qualitativeapproach with a case study design.
The study adopted a case study strategy that focuses on the in-depth, holistic and in-context
examination of one or more cases. The researcher used non-probability purposive sampling to include
all three LUANAR Digital Repository(LDR) staff at LUANAR library because they were thought to be
knowledgeable about the LDR metadata work. The three library staff members directly involved in
repository metadata were investigated for the study. Data collection techniques used in a case study
approach included semi-structuring face-to-face interviews an d documentary analysis. Data from
interviews and documentary reviews were manually analyzed and presented in thematic categories
based on the study’sobj ectives.
Findings –Qualified Dublin Core (DC) was chosen by all participants as the only metadata structure
scheme that they will us et o create and implement metadata in the r epository. DC application profile was
the only scheme used to enforce uniform naming and capitalization conventions in the application of
Qualified DC element definitions. The scheme, however, was discovered t o be the Qualified DC default
format in the DSpace system. All participants indicated that the Agricultural Organization of the United
Nations Vocabulary is used. Participants highlighted that institutional repository system compatibility,
the subject matter of the resources, resource types and staff expertise influenced the selection criteria for
the metadata schemes. The repository policy had been developed but had yet to be adopted by the
LUANAR management.
Research limitations/implications –The current study was limited to LUANAR library. A wider
study across public and private universities in Malawi is needed to ascertain the role of metadata policy,
technicalknowledge and metadata specialist institutionalrepositories.
Practical implications –Metadata policy is to aid in the understanding of the data, ensuring
that appropriate security measures are used to protect the data and for metadata harvesting
purposes.
Social implications –Academic librariesshould lobby for management support towards metadata policy
for institutionalrepositories.
Metadata
creation
practices
205
Received15 September 2022
Revised17 November 2022
Accepted8 January 2023
DigitalLibrary Perspectives
Vol.39 No. 2, 2023
pp. 205-219
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2059-5816
DOI 10.1108/DLP-09-2022-0074
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