Metadata for Information Management and Retrieval

Although the term was coined over four decades ago, interests in metadata grew only over the past ten or so years especially with the development of the internet, web and digital libraries. Since then prominent library and information science (LIS) professionals and institutions, like OCLC, took leading roles in the developments of metadata tools and standards, and consequently a significant number of publications on metadata appeared, many of which focus on the LIS perspectives of the topic, including a chapter in the Annual Review of Information Science and Technology and a yearbook recently published by Facet. Nevertheless, metadata is a new and complex topic for the LIS community and is vital in today's distributed electronic information environment, and consequently there was the need for a core text on metadata providing a description of the topic and its complexities, its importance, applications as well as research and development activities. Haynes should be commended for filling this gap by writing this fantastic book on metadata that can serve as a text book as well as basic reading for anyone interested in the organisation, access and management of electronic information resources.

The book contains ten chapters and ends with a subject index; each chapter is followed by a list of references. Chapter one introduces the concept of metadata and traces its origin and briefly describes its development. After analysing the various definitions and purposes of metadata as proposed by others, Haynes proposes, what he calls, a five point model to describe the main purposes and development of metadata. The book is based on this five point model and focuses on each purpose of metadata, and research and development activities on each are discussed. Each chapter begins with a brief description of its contents and ends with a summary of the major topics covered, and these greatly improve the readability of the book.

Chapter two discusses the concepts of metadata and mark‐up languages viz. SGML, XML and DTDs. It is argued that mark‐up languages have provided “the means to define metadata associated with developments” (p. 21). Chapter 2 also discusses the use of metadata in different contexts such as word‐processing, library catalogues, records management, e‐commerce and content management.

In Chapter three that covers metadata standards and models, Haynes reviews some data modelling systems including ontologies, resource description framework (RDF) and functional requirements for bibliographic records (FRBR) (a model developed by IFLA). Metadata standards have been developed by various agencies to suit the specific needs of their communities. Chapter three discusses metadata standards like Dublin Core; AGLS, GILS and e‐GMS – metadata standards for government information resources, designed for Australia, US and UK governments respectively; ISAD metadata for archival resources; ONIX metadata for the publishing industry, etc.

Each of chapters four to nine discusses the purpose and applications of metadata as per the five‐point model of Haynes proposed in Chapter one. Chapter four discusses the use of metadata for resource description. It discusses how various metadata standards make provision for storing data elements that can be used for describing different types of information resources. Chapter five discusses the role of metadata in information retrieval. Beginning with a general description of the process of information retrieval, indexing, etc., this chapter discusses how metadata can play an important role in information retrieval, both for indexing and searching. Chapter six discusses how metadata standards play roles in a number of information management activities such as in records management, content management, preservation and library management – acquisition, circulation, etc. Chapter seven discusses the provisions in different metadata standards for storing information on intellectual property rights and for the authenticity of digital resources. Chapter eight discusses the role of metadata in facilitating interoperability in a number of contexts including e‐government, e‐commerce etc. In Chapter nine Haynes discusses various issues related to the management of metadata such as cost, encoding, controlled vocabulary, quality management, interoperability, and user education and training issues.

In the concluding chapter Haynes re‐examines his five‐point model and discusses the possible future developments. Haynes concludes that metadata development will progress through co‐operation, which may eventually lead to a universal metadata model. It is predicted that the various metadata models that are currently available may form the basis of a new consolidated model.

Overall this is an excellent book on an emerging and highly relevant topic for library and information management activities. It has been written in a non‐technical language, and the theme and contents of the book have been presented in a well‐organised manner. No doubt this book will be extremely useful for LIS students and professionals all over the world.