Project Title:  Multiuser Cataloging of Digital Content

 

Department/organizational unit(s): eGranary Digital Library / WiderNet Project

 

Mentor Name(s): Cliff Missen

 

Brief project description:  As first time users of digital content, our patrons prefer to work with content interfaces that present resources in a highly relevant, readily accessible manner.  This project involves improving automated systems to catalog the eGranary’s 10+ million digital resources, recruiting and Training volunteer catalogers around the world to work with a Web-based interface to categorize and sort resources, integrating cataloging data from other sources, and then using the lessons learned to modify the system to make it effective, easy-to-use, and replicable to other versions of eGranaries targeted at specific patron groups and languages.

Examples of key activities:

• Develop/adopt  standards for categorizing digital materials
• Research other efforts to catalog digital content
• Integrate metadata from disparate sources (WHO, CDC, IMS…) into eGranary catalog
• Consult with volunteers to assess the system
• Assist Web database developers in the design of the system

 Number of students that can be accommodated:  2 persons

 

Duration: Fall 07 and beyond

 

Training:

Prerequisite skills: Basic computer and database skills.  Some Web design preferred.  Good communication and attention to detail.

Acquired skills: Working knowledge of international standards for metadata (Dublin Core, etc.); catalog development skills; Web design and Web database skills, research and writing skills.

 

Software/Hardware Involved:  Microsoft SQL, Microsoft Access, MySQL, ASP, Confluence wiki, SharePoint, threaded discussion, listservs

 

Tangible end product, if any:   An established procedure for eGranary cataloging.