Metadata remains the solution for describing the explosively growing, complex world of digital information, and continues to be of paramount importance for information professionals. Providing a solid grounding in the variety and interrelationships among different metadata types, Zeng and Qin’s thorough revision of their benchmark text offers a comprehensive look at the metadata schemas that exist in the world of library and information science and beyond, as well as the contexts in which they operate. Cementing its value as both an LIS text and a handy reference for professionals already in the field, this book:

• Lays out the fundamentals of metadata, including principles of metadata, structures of metadata vocabularies, and metadata descriptions
• Surveys metadata standards and their applications in distinct domains and for various communities of metadata practice
• Examines metadata building blocks, from modelling to defining properties, and from designing application profiles to implementing value vocabularies
• Describes important concepts as resource identification, metadata as linked data, consumption of metadata, interoperability, and quality measurement
• Offers an updated glossary to help readers navigate metadata’s complex terms in easy-to-understand definitions.

An online resource of web extras, packed with exercises, quizzes, and links to additional materials, completes this definitive primer on metadata.

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The writing is engaging and memorable, especially when considering the technical nature of the subject matter. Visual learners will also appreciate the numerous illustrations, examples, and tables. No practitioner could ever hope to master every concept herein, but careful readers will undoubtedly feel their horizons expanding.

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I highly recommend this book to the instructor of metadata and information organization (or the serious student) as an essential desk reference; individual chapters and sections are completely appropriate for use as supplemental readings in a variety of courses where details about particular concepts related to metadata are required.