Perspectives of LIS academics and post graduates on standards-based and socially-constructed metadata approaches

With the aim of developing a conceptual metadata framework that takes into account socially-constructed metadata approaches, this paper presents the perspectives of library and information science (LIS) academics and postgraduates on optimality of standards-based versus socially-constructed metadata approaches. Based on analysis of data collected through eleven in-depth interviews, conceptual themes that emerged include the obsolescence of the OPAC in relation to web search engines, preference of users for searching versus browsing, as well as the prolificacy of extant metadata standards resulting in interoperability challenges. The study also revealed the role ascribed to Web 2.0 and Semantic Web technologies in libraries, and the importance of enriching information objects with metadata that better conveys the various perspectives of users. Finally, the need for underpinning metadata decisions with sound theoretical foundations is suggested.