Papers : Metadata, Archives, Visual and Music

This study aims to analyze the issues encountered in creating Archival Information Packages(AIPs) based on the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) reference model, an international standard for digital information preservation, and to support efficient AIP creation. We conducted an exploratory survey using an online questionnaire and identified 23 issues. We further organized these 23 issues into practical and administrative categories and considered each category. Consequently, it became clear that there are issues related to the concrete definition of AIPs, documentation, metadata, file structure and format, collaboration, and access rights. Our results can be used as considerations for preparing the AIP, which is expected to facilitate the organization of abstract concepts within the AIP.

Queer activism played a significant role in effecting legislative and social change in Aotearoa/New Zealand and overseas, shifting societal attitudes towards tolerance and inclusion. Nonetheless, this has not visibly translated into representation in New Zealand’s galleries, libraries, archives, museums and universities (GLAMU) institutions for queer communities. While queer collections still form a minor part of local, regional and national cultural heritage, the discoverability of these materials raises additional descriptive and metadata complexities, particularly with the classification and description systems currently in use, such as the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). This research, part of a larger project, investigates some of these issues using pertinent data from 30 interviews conducted with GLAMU information professionals in New Zealand.

It was found for institutions that held queer materials there was little consistency with queer metadata use, particularly for general terms, while nomenclatures for more marginalised queer communities rarely featured. Whether to and how to identify a person and the use of appropriate metadata were of particular concern. Reparative description and the use of a queer-controlled vocabulary, like Homosaurus, also revealed these were of interest but outside of two institutions, other priorities took precedence. The lack of appropriate queer metadata and description makes queer materials difficult to find. This impacts the representation and inclusion of queer communities in the local, regional and national narrative. From the findings, there is a need for metadata and description to be used to better reflect the fluidity of queer communities in New Zealand and improve the discoverability of queer materials. Gaining an understanding of queer culture, using a queer controlled vocabulary and consulting with queer communities regarding community-derived metadata and description are some approaches that would help to improve the discovery of queer materials.

This article explores the intersection of musical composition and digital technology by using metadata derived from natural phenomena to generate musical works. It examines the methodology employed and its application in cases where meteorological data, plant data, and brain activity data serve as sources of inspiration. These data are transformed into musical compositions that range from interactive sound installations to orchestral pieces. The article concludes by highlighting current perspectives of this work in collaboration with other scientific disciplines.

An important LAM professional competency is the ability to create metadata that effectively facilitates discovery of information resources in various settings. While some metadata courses for information professionals provide training in generating metadata that represents visual resources held by museums and galleries, reports assessing results of this learning are lacking. Our study is the first to evaluate student-created metadata that follows the specialized Visual Resources Association Core 4.0 metadata standard for artworks. This paper presents and discusses preliminary results of the exploration of accuracy, completeness, and consistency of metadata records that were created by students enrolled in the introductory graduate metadata course in an ALA-accredited LIS program. Our analysis identified metadata fields which pose challenges to learners in practicing creation of VRA Core 4.0 metadata records to represent paintings. Most common errors are presented and discussed in relation to findings of previous research and future research ideas.