Meeting metadata challenges in the consortial environment: Metadata coordination for North Carolina Exploring Cultural Heritage Online

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to focus on the approaches to metadata pursued by North Carolina's Exploring Cultural Heritage Online (NC ECHO), a statewide digitization project. Metadata forms the cornerstone to the project and serves as a vehicle to meet the vision of all-inclusive access to the state's unique cultural and historical resources. Design/methodology/approach - The article begins with a description of the cultural heritage institution landscape in North Carolina and a discussion of that landscape within the framework of metadata challenges. Four distinct but interrelated approaches are then discussed in the context of the project's missions and goals: working groups, "metadata first", training and outreach, and "Seek a Metadata Consultation". Findings - The described approach demonstrates a commitment to communication, facilitation, and empowerment that is fundamental to the overall mission of NC ECHO: to provide access to the state's cultural heritage materials through an online portal. Originality/value - The article provides a discussion of the importance of marketing, approval, coordination, and participation in the context of these metadata solutions.