Investigating the use of metadata record graphs to analyze subject headings in the digital public library of America

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Edward Phillips ◽  
Hannah Tarver
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Metadata Record ◽  
Metadata Quality ◽  
Subject Headings ◽  
The Individual

Purpose This study furthers metadata quality research by providing complementary network-based metrics and insights to analyze metadata records and identify areas for improvement. Design/methodology/approach Metadata record graphs apply network analysis to metadata field values; this study evaluates the interconnectedness of subjects within each Hub aggregated into the Digital Public Library of America. It also reviews the effects of NACO normalization – simulating revision of values for consistency – and breaking up pre-coordinated subject headings – to simulate applying the Faceted Application of Subject Terminology to Library of Congress Subject Headings. Findings Network statistics complement count- or value-based metrics by providing context related to the number of records a user might actually find starting from one item and moving to others via shared subject values. Additionally, connectivity increases through the normalization of values to correct or adjust for formatting differences or by breaking pre-coordinated subject strings into separate topics. Research limitations/implications This analysis focuses on exact-string matches, which is the lowest-common denominator for searching, although many search engines and digital library indexes may use less stringent matching methods. In terms of practical implications for evaluating or improving subjects in metadata, the normalization components demonstrate where resources may be most effectively allocated for these activities (depending on a collection). Originality/value Although the individual components of this research are not particularly novel, network analysis has not generally been applied to metadata analysis. This research furthers previous studies related to metadata quality analysis of aggregations and digital collections in general.

Transformation of public library websites in Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 10-14
Author(s):  
Nove E. Variant Anna
Keyword(s):  
Public Library ◽  
External Information ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chat Reference ◽  
Reference Service ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Portal Website ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
Knowledge Portal

Purpose This paper aims to observe the province’s public library websites in Indonesia and to give some recommendation about knowledge portal website that can support the creation and invention of knowledge. Design/methodology/approach Data and information were gathered by observing library websites at the provincial level to see the digital survey and collection. This survey includes 34 province public library websites in the period from August 1 to 15, 2017. As the survey focuses on the availability of online digital collections, availability of digital services such as the user can have conversation with the librarian through a chat reference service, the availability of trusted external information sources, the availability of user forums for discussion. Findings The result of the research showed that the public library websites in Indonesia are still static (less interactive) and only give standard information about the library services, its operational hours, contact numbers and their collection. According to the result, it is recommended for every public library transforms its website into a knowledge portal website that can give a real and direct effect to the users, especially in the creation of innovation. Originality/value This paper also recommends a framework for a knowledge portal that includes e-resources, user needs, partnership, internet resources, integrated OPAC and collaboration. A survey on a library website is rarely conducted in Indonesia; therefore, this result will be beneficial for developing library websites.

More product, more process: metadata in digital image collections

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Therrell
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Digital Image ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Less Is More ◽  
New York Public Library ◽  
Digital Collection ◽  
Collection Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implications of current theories that advocate for minimal levels of description in digital collections. Specifically, this paper looks at the archival theory of “More Product, Less Process” and its encouragement of collection-level description. The purpose of the study was to analyze how levels of description impact resource retrieval. Design/methodology/approach This study analyzed 35 images from a New York Public Library (NYPL) digital collection present on the NYPL website and on Flickr. The methodology was designed to reflect users’ information seeking behavior for image collections. There were two research questions guiding this study: what are the descriptive terms used to describe items in digital collections? and what is the success rate of retrieving resources using assigned descriptive terms? Findings The results of this study revealed that the images from the NYPL collection were more difficult to find on the institution’s website as compared with Flickr. These findings suggest that lesser levels of description in digital collections hinder resource retrieval. Research limitations/implications These findings suggest that lesser description levels hurt the findability of resources. In the wake of theories such as “More Product, Less Process”, information professionals must find ways to assign metadata to individual materials in digital image collections. Originality/value Recent research concerning description levels of digital collections is several years old and focuses mostly on the usefulness of collection-level metadata as a supplement to or substitute for item-level metadata. Few, if any, studies exist that explore the implications of description levels on resource retrievability and findability. This study is also unique in that it discusses these implications in the context of less-is-more theories of archival processing.

Image embedded metadata in cultural heritage digital collections on the web

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Isa Saleh
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Cultural Resources ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Metadata Record ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Digital Collection ◽  
Image Metadata ◽  
The Web

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the availability of embedded metadata within images of digital cultural collections. It is designed to examine a proposed hypothesis that most digitally derived images of cultural resources are stripped of their metadata once they are placed on the web. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 603 images were selected randomly from four cultural portals which aggregate digitized cultural collections, then four steps in the data collection process took place to examine image metadata via the web-based tool and windows application. Findings The study revealed that 28.5 percent of the analyzed images contained metadata, no links exist between image embedded metadata and its metadata record or the pages of the websites analyzed, and there is a significant usage of Extensible Metadata Platform to encode embedded metadata within the images. Practical implications The findings of the study may encourage heritage digital collection providers to reconsider their metadata preservation practices and policies to enrich the content of embedded metadata. In addition, it will raise awareness about the potential and value of embedded metadata in enhancing the findability and exchange of digital collections. Originality/value This study is ground breaking in that it is one of the early studies, especially in the Arab world, which aim to recognize the use of image embedded metadata within cultural heritage digital collections on the web.

Finding access and digital preservation solutions for a digitized oral history project

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystyna K. Matusiak ◽  
Allison Tyler ◽  
Catherine Newton ◽  
Padma Polepeddi
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Oral History ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Digital Preservation ◽  
Content Management ◽  
Jefferson County ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Preservation Solutions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine affordable access and digital preservation solutions for digital collections developed by under-resourced small- and mid-sized cultural heritage organizations. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents a case study of Jeffco Stories, a collection of digitized oral histories created by the Jefferson County Public Library in Colorado. Findings This paper describes how the Jefferson County Public Library undertook a migration project of its oral history digital collection into an open-access platform, Omeka, and selected DuraCloud as a hosted digital preservation service. Research limitations/implications As a case study, this paper is limited to one institution’s experience with selecting access and digital preservation solutions. Practical/implications This paper is relevant to librarians and archivists who are exploring access and preservation solutions for digital collections and to those who are considering migrating to open-access content management systems and cloud-based digital preservation solutions. Originality/value This paper presents a case of a public library and the challenges in finding affordable access and digital preservation solutions for small digital collections.

The crimes of first-time offenders: same or different from the crimes of habitual criminals?

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Glenn D. Walters
Keyword(s):  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Deterrent Effect ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Criminal Thinking ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Environmental Events ◽  
First Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how first-time offenders and habitual criminals, while displaying wide differences in offense frequency, appear to follow a similar pattern in committing crime. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual approach is adopted in this paper. Findings It is argued that criminal thinking is the common denominator in both patterns, the difference being that habitual criminals have a higher resting level of proactive and reactive criminal thinking than first-time offenders. With an earlier age of onset, the habitual criminal may be more impulsive and reactive than first-time offenders, which partially explains why most low-rate offenders are not identified until adulthood. Practical implications Because actual and perceived deterrents to crime correlate weakly, if at all, it is recommended that perceived environmental events and criminal thinking be the primary targets of prevention and intervention programs. Social implications Environmental stimuli, such as events that produce general strain, increase opportunities for crime, reinforce criminal associations, irritate the individual and interfere with the deterrent effect of perceived certainty, can both augment and interact with criminal thinking to increase the likelihood of a criminal act in both first-time offenders and habitual criminals. Originality/value The unique aspect of this paper is that it illustrates that certain features of crime and criminality are found across offending levels, whereas other features are more specific to a particular level.

Talking about tags

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Clements ◽  
Chern Li Liew
Keyword(s):  
Public Library ◽  
The Body ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Research Focus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Tags ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Subject Headings ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Library Staff

Purpose – While examining subject headings and tags is a popular research topic, most studies focus on comparing user-assigned tags and professional subject heading. Studies that compare Library of Congress Subject Headings to user-assigned tags, for instance, dominate the literature. However, little research has involved an examination on how and to what extent these features are actually used by library staff. This study adds to the body of knowledge. This study aims to focus on how librarians perceive and use tags. By focusing on people’s perceptions rather than simply comparing social tags and formal subject headings, new insights can be collected. Design/methodology/approach – This research collects data through semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 library staff from various roles and locations throughout Auckland Libraries. Findings – The research findings show that while social tags have been adopted and used in their work by the majority of library staff interviewed, there remains resistance to using them. Some library staff preferred the traditional hierarchical subject headings found in the traditional catalogue. A general lack of awareness about tag functions and features is also evident among the staff interviewed. Originality/value – The research focus is unique because it examines this phenomenon in a public library setting rather than in academic libraries, an area that is rarely examined in the literature.

scholarly journals Predicting online product sales via online reviews, sentiments, and promotion strategies

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Yee Loong Chong ◽  
Boying Li ◽  
Eric W.T. Ngai ◽  
Eugene Ch'ng ◽  
Filbert Lee
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Online Reviews ◽  
Neural Network Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Architecture ◽  
Promotional Strategies ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Product Sales

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate if online reviews (e.g. valence and volume), online promotional strategies (e.g. free delivery and discounts) and sentiments from user reviews can help predict product sales. Design/methodology/approach – The authors designed a big data architecture and deployed Node.js agents for scraping the Amazon.com pages using asynchronous input/output calls. The completed web crawling and scraping data sets were then preprocessed for sentimental and neural network analysis. The neural network was employed to examine which variables in the study are important predictors of product sales. Findings – This study found that although online reviews, online promotional strategies and online sentiments can all predict product sales, some variables are more important predictors than others. The authors found that the interplay effects of these variables become more important variables than the individual variables themselves. For example, online volume interactions with sentiments and discounts are more important than the individual predictors of discounts, sentiments or online volume. Originality/value – This study designed big data architecture, in combination with sentimental and neural network analysis that can facilitate future business research for predicting product sales in an online environment. This study also employed a predictive analytic approach (e.g. neural network) to examine the variables, and this approach is useful for future data analysis in a big data environment where prediction can have more practical implications than significance testing. This study also examined the interplay between online reviews, sentiments and promotional strategies, which up to now have mostly been examined individually in previous studies.

scholarly journals Assessing the value of ILL to our users: a comparative study of three US libraries

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micquel Little ◽  
Lars Leon
Keyword(s):  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Liberal Arts ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Interlibrary Loan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Open Question ◽  
Basic Content ◽  
Large Research

Purpose – This study aims to combine the patron perception of the interlibrary loan services offered in three libraries: an ARL campus, a small private liberal arts campus, and a large state public library. The goal was to have a vehicle for gathering both satisfaction and value information for each of the services provided by a resource-sharing operation to cross-analyze patron perceptions, satisfaction and value placed on resource sharing at each institution. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was created to gather the information desired, and it was designed to be completed in less than 15 minutes. The survey wording was adjusted depending on the individual participating organization to provide appropriate text for the local patrons. However, the basic content was similar for each library. The survey included an optional field where the patron could enter their name to allow follow-up as desired. It also included an open question to capture anything else the previous questions did not. Findings – This case studies finding include recognition of recurring features found valuable to library patrons utilizing all three institutions: access, speed and people. Each library was able to identify areas of strength and areas to improve upon within their services. Each library also gained insight into their patrons’ perceptions of the resource-sharing services offered. This insight is being used for further assessment studies, as well as to implement changes on each local campus. Originality/value – This study provides insight and data into resource-sharing assessment as related to patron value. As the literature review shows, no studies of this kind have been done recently or across the institutions included: small private academic, large research academic or large public library.

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