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This study is a comparison of the descriptive tagging practices among library, archive, and museum professionals using an inter-indexing consistency approach. The first purpose of this study was to determine the extent of the similarities and differences among professional groups when assigning descriptive tags to different object types typically found within the library, archive and museum environments. The second purpose of this study was to compare the descriptive practices of these three professional groups to different object types typically found within the library, archive and museum environments. Findings from this study indicate while there were few differences in depth of indexing per object type among professional groups, various levels of description were applied to the different object types. Levels of description were derived from: (1) the three dimensional or physical media pictured; (2) the digital surrogate; (3) the objects aboutness; (4) the technique and materials used to make the physical object, and; (5) written text. Data analysis also indicates there was a significant difference between means in the total number of exact matched primary tags applied per object type. As such, information retrieval within the online environment could be improved if there was better quality control in the application of the different levels of description among information professionals.

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PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to conduct a gap analysis for Kate Boyd, Digital Collections Librarian of the University of South Carolina's Digital Collections Department, located at Thomas Cooper Library.Design/methodology/approachThe approaches the researcher utilized are a personal interview, literature review and personal experience. The article attempts to identify, define, and then provide recommendations concerning the gaps needing to be bridged at the University of South Carolina's Digital Collections Department.FindingsAfter only five years, the University of South Carolina's Digital Collections Department has made significant strides in implementing their program. In conducting a comparative analysis of the University of South Carolina's Digital Collections Department to those surveyed in 2000 by the Digital Library Federation, the findings indicate the department is not immune to the same challenges experienced by previous institutions in developing their digital library program.Originality/valueThe paper gives an insight into a gap analysis conducted on the digital collections department of an academic library.