Metadata Value Chain for Open-Access E-journals

Abstract

RecorderIn this session, Holly Mercer presented a case for finding global solutions to improve the metadata that are available for journals, particularly small, independent, open-access journals. She discussed the scholarly communication lifecycle and described how in her view the metadata value chain underpins the scholarly communication system. Examples of the importance of metadata to discovery, access, and use of publications were provided. Suggestions of how librarians can help editors and publishers enhance discoverability and usability for patrons were also provided.

An Exploration of Indexed and Non-Indexed Open Access Journals: Identifying Metadata Coding Variations

“…Among them are the amount of effort needed, the difficulty of constructing effective searches, and the time required to learn new technologies. Some librarians and teaching faculty admit to starting and ending searches on a favorite search engine, while others turn to subscription-based library collections only after using a search engine (Mercer and Dyas-Correia 2011). It ought to come as no surprise then that graduate students might follow the same path, choosing a general search engine as their first stop for assignment fulfillment and discovery of peer-reviewed research studies.…”

Flexibility in the Face of Change

“…57 Mercer and Dyas-Correia point to the central importance of metadata to the scholarly communication lifecycle, of which serials access is an integral part. 58 In their article, the authors present "a case for finding global solutions to improve the metadata that are available for journals, particularly small, independent, open-access journals." 59 They provide examples of the importance of metadata to the discovery, access, and use of publications and offer suggestions for how librarians can partner with editors and publishers to enhance discoverability and usability for patrons.…”