Mastering Metadata and Digital Cataloguing for Librarians Training Course

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced information era, the role of librarians is evolving to meet the demands of digital knowledge management. Effective metadata creation and digital cataloguing are at the heart of improving information discovery, accessibility, and long-term preservation. This training course equips professionals with the skills to apply international metadata standards, use cataloguing tools, and ensure data interoperability across digital platforms.

This comprehensive 14-day training provides hands-on experience in Dublin Core, MARC21, linked data, metadata repositories, and authority control. Participants will gain practical insights into managing metadata quality, adopting open standards, and applying ethical practices in digital cataloguing. By the end of the course, librarians and information specialists will be well-prepared to enhance their institutions’ digital collections and optimize knowledge-sharing systems.

Duration

14 Days

Target Audience

  • Librarians and library staff
  • Archivists and records managers
  • Digital repository administrators
  • Information and knowledge managers
  • Data curators and metadata specialists
  • Academic and research support staff
  • Cataloguing professionals transitioning to digital environments
  • IT staff supporting digital library systems

Objectives

  • Understand the principles of metadata and cataloguing in digital environments
  • Differentiate between various metadata types and their functions
  • Apply Dublin Core and MARC21 standards effectively
  • Use metadata editing and validation tools
  • Implement authority control and controlled vocabularies
  • Manage metadata quality and ensure interoperability
  • Explore linked data and Semantic Web applications for libraries
  • Gain practical skills in digital repository cataloguing systems
  • Address ethical, legal, and licensing issues in metadata management
  • Design and implement a practical metadata schema through a capstone project

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Metadata and Cataloguing

  • Role of metadata in digital knowledge systems
  • Evolution of cataloguing from print to digital
  • Types of metadata and their importance
  • Metadata lifecycle in library environments
  • Practical examples from digital libraries

Module 2: Metadata Types and Functions

  • Descriptive, structural, and administrative metadata
  • Functions in digital resource management
  • Importance in discovery and access
  • Application in digital repositories
  • Case studies of metadata functions

Module 3: Metadata Standards Overview

  • Dublin Core basics
  • MARC21 framework and use cases
  • MODS, METS, and PREMIS standards
  • Schema.org for web metadata
  • Choosing the right standard

Module 4: Dublin Core Fundamentals

  • Core elements explained
  • Simple vs. Qualified Dublin Core
  • Application profiles and extensions
  • Metadata mapping and crosswalks
  • Dublin Core case studies

Module 5: Dublin Core Practical Application

  • Creating metadata records
  • Using metadata editors and tools
  • Editing and validating records
  • Hands-on repository assignments
  • Peer review of Dublin Core records

Module 6: MARC21 and Traditional Cataloguing

  • MARC record structure explained
  • Tags, indicators, and subfields
  • Bibliographic and authority records
  • MARC workflows in libraries
  • Strengths and limitations of MARC

Module 7: MARC21 Practical Session

  • Introduction to MARCEdit
  • Creating bibliographic records
  • Linking authority data
  • Exporting and validating MARC records
  • Hands-on exercises with sample datasets

Module 8: Metadata for Digital Repositories

  • Overview of digital repository platforms
  • Metadata in EPrints, DSpace, and Omeka
  • OAI-PMH harvesting protocol
  • Mapping metadata to repository needs
  • Repository metadata demonstration

Module 9: Authority Control and Controlled Vocabularies

  • Importance of authority control in cataloguing
  • Using LCSH, MeSH, and AAT
  • Role of ORCID and VIAF identifiers
  • Subject authority vs. name authority files
  • Practical exercises with vocabularies

Module 10: Metadata Quality and Interoperability

  • Metadata quality indicators
  • Common errors in metadata records
  • Crosswalks and metadata mapping
  • Ensuring international interoperability
  • Data cleaning and quality assurance

Module 11: Linked Data and Metadata for the Web

  • Introduction to RDF and triples
  • Schema.org for digital resources
  • Semantic Web in library environments
  • Linked data cloud overview
  • Practical RDF creation

Module 12: Digital Cataloguing with ILS

  • Integrated Library Systems overview
  • Bibliographic and authority record setup
  • Linking metadata to digital objects
  • Cataloguing workflows in ILS
  • Hands-on practice with Koha or similar system

Module 13: Metadata Ethics, Policy, and Licensing

  • Copyright and Creative Commons in metadata
  • Open metadata and sharing initiatives
  • Privacy, inclusivity, and representation
  • Metadata policy frameworks
  • Ethical dilemmas in digital cataloguing

Module 14: Capstone Project and Evaluation

  • Group project on schema design
  • Hands-on cataloguing project presentation
  • Peer evaluation and feedback
  • Instructor assessment of projects
  • Course review and certification

 

Mastering Metadata And Digital Cataloguing For Librarians Training Course in Netherlands
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