Does EAD Play Well with Other Metadata Standards?

• DOI: 10.1300/j201v01n03_04
• Publication Date: 2003-09-29T15:44:53Z
• Authors: Christopher J. Prom
• Keywords: Geospatial metadata; Database catalog

Abstract The Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting has been suggested as a simple method by which cultural heritage metadata might be exchanged and searched. However, much of the archival description encoded in Encoded Archival Description (EAD) files may not optimally accessible. By analyzing EAD encoding patterns found sample finding aids, this article explores some challenges arise attempting to make interoperable searchable. analysis shows that many lack key elements or use non-standard patterns. findings suggest institutions using could benefit from application tighter best practice recommendations. Application OAI protocols on top help harmonize eliminate differences, providing better search retrieval mechanisms.