Metadata- Pathways to Digital Information (Intro)

The introduction written by Murtha Baca discusses issues that have plagued metadata since the term was coined.  As stated in the first paragraph the digital world is in constant flux and change.  The conversation still is looking for an"authoritative digital resource," which means different things to majority of Information professionals.

As stated metadata should be an collaborative process for the issue of rights metadata.  The data created by users is a problem that lacks the structure that information professional trained in creation have.  The authors' have an understanding of user created content importance in the ongoing conversation of metadata.

Additional chapters cover topics such as, the "Hidden Web," and the legal ramification of open access. The barriers created to prevent access to many digital materials.  Which touches the surface of what Union catalogs mean if a layman doesn't know how to access that specific web page.

The ongoing message within the introduction is a lasting commitment to creation and continuous updating of various types of metadata as it relates to a variety of collections that are digitalized.  Mantra of slowing down the process to be more committed to concise creation. Understanding that the methods used to create metadata must meet procedures, protocols and data standards established and followed by all who create.

I agree with the author that creation of metadata is an investment in knowledge management which can lead to a large payoff for consistent effort and enhance end-user ability to access which is why we create digital resources.