Investigation of Best Practice in Metadata for Sound, Moving Image & Audiovisual Collections

Abstract

This dissertation explores best practice in the field of metadata use for audiovisual materials and collections held in archival and broadcast institutions. The current audiovisual metadata landscape is investigated, the results displaying how metadata is currently being used to provide further access possibilities to audiovisual collections for users in unique and engaging ways, while also supporting long-term digital preservation practice in general. A review of literature has exposed a recent positive shift in attitudes towards the use of artificial intelligence tools within archival and broadcast workflows to automatically generate audiovisual metadata accurately. Its ever-growing acceptance into this field has been established due to consistent and successful results from automatic metadata generation tools and techniques that have been developed specifically for archives and broadcasters. These are providing archivists and broadcasters with promising opportunities to mass treat collections, provide further accessibility, and expose audiovisual materials by new and contemporary means. The research was carried out in conjunction with a forthcoming project at the National Library of Wales in which a new National Broadcast Archive division is in development. The case study provided support in the decision for a new metadata standard to be chosen and implemented for the broadcast archive, supporting its new digital interface and asset management system for searching and accessing audiovisual materials. Further qualitative research methods were also applied to gain a wider understanding of current practice, revealing metadata systems and tools used by practitioners and institutions, and helping to contextualise practice that is currently being used internationally. The final recommendations for audiovisual metadata management and use are presented to specify best practice to the National Library of Wales and the National Broadcast Archive as a conclusion to this study, and to supply future guidance and support within this field.

Date of Award	2020
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Aberystwyth University
Supervisor	Sarah Higgins (Supervisor) & Pauline Rafferty (Supervisor)