Resource discovery, interoperability and digital preservation: some aspects of current metadata research and development

Metadata is a term that is increasingly being used by the library and information communities and others to refer to structured data that describes or otherwise documents other data in order to support one or more specified functions. These functions may include, for example, resource discovery and access, collection management and resource evaluation, rights management and digital preservation. Metadata is therefore an important area of research and development, much of it carried out by the library community in conjunction with colleagues working in the cultural heritage sector (primarily archives and museums), research institutions and publishing. UKOLN, the UK Office for Library and Information Networking, has been involved in a number of metadata-based projects and initiatives over the past five years. This paper will introduce some of the metadata-related issues raised by these. Particular, but not exclusive, attention will be made to projects and initiatives in which UKOLN has had some participation