Information professionals have many roles in the lifecycle of information (Slone, 2008, page 16). Describing information is a integral facet of the cycle, though all of the elements are necessary for the cycle to function optimally.
The plethora of knowledge available is so vast that we cannot possibly hope to be able to have a handle on all of it. Information professionals are an intermediary in helping to make all of this information accessible. "To manage information seamlessly, without regard to physical format, requires developing a generic means of describing information. This information about information serves as a tool for managers and users of data to get a handle on the raw materials with which they work" (Phillips, 1995).
Some of the issues that arise when taking on the task of describing information, is the role and means of standardization. Other issues are: Are there ways that we can better descriptors , through catalogs and abstracts, to make information retrieval easier for the user? What costs are associated with describing information? How does this task, and the output that it produces, vary based upon the format of the information? What does the finished product look like, is it always the same? Are we providing the end-user with the best product possible? Do the role and process of describing information differ, based upon the intended audience? How does technology affect the equation? These are just some of the areas that I intend to explore further in future blog discussions.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback, and hope that we can use this blog forum to learn from one another.
References:
Phillips, John T Jr. (1995) Metadata-Information about electronic record. ARMA Records Management Quarterly, 29 (4), 52-55
Slone, D. (2008). Course supplement weeks 1-3 [PowerPoint slides].
Saturday, February 23, 2008
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