Mapping the Information Landscape: Collection Description Focus Showcase

1. From small beginnings:Developing collection level descriptionMapping the Information Landscape Showcase dayBritish Library Conference Centre, London,25th March 2003 Bridget Robinson & Ann Chapman UKOLN, University of Bath Bath, BA2 7AY Email cd-focus@ukoln.ac.uk URL http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/ UKOLN is supported by:

2. In the beginning • The eLib programme 1994-2001 • Collection level description – a supporting study, report August 1999 • Full Disclosure 1999 – Phase 1 recommendation • Build a register of collections • The RSLP 1999-2002 • Collaborative collection management • Created bibliographic & archival records • Created collection descriptions • Digitised images & texts, portals Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

3. The RSLP schema • Analytical model of collections and their catalogues - Michael Heaney • Collection level description metadata schema and associated syntax • using RDF encoded into XML • Web based tool • MS Access database version • for use by RSLP projects Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

4. Uptake of RSLP schema • Timescale – some projects had already developed their own approach • Mapping Asia – EAD in XML • COCOREES – ROADS based web interface to MS Access database • Use by non-RSLP projects – moving out of HE Cornucopia Science Museum Reveal Cecilia Crossroads ITAM MIMAS resources Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

5. RSLP schema modification • RSLP schema issues • Missing elements • Elements not detailed enough • Difficulties with element labels • Difficulties understanding some elements • Core plus extensions • Adding on elements • Adding on qualifiers Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

6. Multiple uses, multiple viewpoints • End user • pupil, student, researcher, leisure interest • Manager • archives, museums, libraries, Internet • Machine-to-machine • interoperability, standards • sharing effort through re-use Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

7. The user viewpoint • Enable collection provider to • disclose information about collections to users • Enable user to • discover/locate collections • select collections to explore/search on basis of summary description • compare collections as broadly similar objects (even where items heterogeneous) • understand conditions of access & use • interpret collections • Enable software agents to • select collections to search on behalf of user • control searches across collections Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

8. Collection ofmetadata records Collection of physicalobjects Collection of books Collection of digitalitems Database of CLDs CLDs provide high-level “map” of landscape for user, researcher, visitor…. Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

9. Accessibility • Disability Discrimination Act • sensory and physical impairment • structure, alt-text, keyboard operation • Widening participation • cognitive conditions • Different views for different users • students, researchers • pupils, leisure interests Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

10. The management viewpoint • Enable collection provider to • manage own collections • control/audit/review holdings internally • identify collections at risk • assess priorities for item-level cataloguing • manage in collaboration with other providers • identify, record, share information on strengths and weaknesses • inform strategic planning • institutional, cross-institutional, regional, sectoral, national … Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

11. Database of CLDs … CLDs also useful to resource managers? Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

12. Sharing needs standards • CLD are metadata records • use by multiple applications / services • machine-to-machine exchange • build in from start • Re-usability • keep modification minimal • export common elements only? • Standards • schema, thesauri, etc. Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

13. Collection of physicalitems Collection of digitalmetadata records Website A Harvestvia OAI PMH OAI RepositoryA Portalsite C OAIRepository B Website B Collection of digitalmetadata records Collection of digitalitems Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

14. Still early days • End users • uncertain buy-in from scholars • preference for item level • Few CLD databases launched yet • case studies – development • user studies - evaluation • Helping implementers • Online Tutorial and training Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

15. Who’s using Collection Description now? • AIM25 • Archives Hub • Cecilia • Collections Navigator – NHM • Cornucopia • Crossroads Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

16. Who’s using Collection Description now? • EnrichUK.net: The nof-digitise • Collection Portal • ITAM: MIMAS Collection Description • Reveal • The Science & Culture website • SCONE Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003

17. Acknowledgements • UKOLN is funded by Resource: the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) of the UK higher and further education funding councils, as well as by project funding from the JISC and the European Union. UKOLN also receives support from the University of Bath where it is based. • http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/ Collection Description Focus Showcase, London 25 March 2003