Metadata
In order to make a digital work traceable, it must be properly described with metadata. Every kind of information requires its own type of metadata, but each knowledge domain also has its own metadata requirements. Researchers in a particular discipline want to be able to describe their metadata themselves, using information that they consider important.
The Dutch repositories initially made use of agreements based on the Dublin Core standard (DARE use of Dublin Core). With storage and access to publications by means of complex objects on the increase, MODS was selected as the standard metadata format for all Dutch repositories. This makes it necessary to migrate from the old standard to the new.
SURFshare is collaborating with metadata experts at the various institutions on developing a metadata application profile that will satisfy the current need for a more accurate description of repository contents. Standardisation will make it possible to develop more intelligent services to help researchers find and re-use information. The Netherlands has a reputation for producing useful and pragmatic standards, and SURFshare is therefore incorporating this expertise into European projects such as DRIVER.