I-Share Metadata Task Force

Body to which the group reports: Governance Board

Purpose

The Metadata Task Force is charged with evaluating, recommending, and developing strategies, policies, and workflows that strengthen metadata quality, interoperability, and cooperation across the consortium. The group will focus on shared cataloging practices, system-wide metadata management, and emerging metadata technologies to support discovery, resource sharing, and long-term sustainability of the Network Zone (NZ).

Goals

The Task Force will:

1. Assess and enhance metadata practices across member institutions to ensure consistency, transparency, and alignment with shared consortial priorities.
2. Recommend improvements to Network Zone workflows, system configuration, and metadata governance.
3. Support innovation by evaluating emerging metadata standards and technologies relevant to the consortium./p>

Scope of Work / Responsibilities

The Task Force will undertake the following activities:

1. Metadata Rules & Record Management

• Review and develop merge rules to ensure consistent application and high-quality bibliographic records in the NZ.
• Evaluate the effects of duplicate records originating from multiple sources on institutional and consortial discovery, and recommend strategies to mitigate impact.

2. Permissions & Workflow Transparency

• Re-evaluate cataloger permission levels across the consortium, ensuring appropriate access while supporting quality control and collaborative cataloging.
• Recommend institutional cataloging workflows that improve transparency, communication, and cooperation among member libraries.

3. Matching & Import Profile Configuration

• Re-evaluate preferred match methods used for the NZ, assessing effectiveness for all record types and sources.
• Make recommendations on match methods for NZ import profiles, including criteria for when and how records should be matched, merged, or overlaid.

4. Consortial Metadata Projects

• Evaluate and recommend NZ-wide metadata projects suitable for automation through CARLI or for coordinated institutional participation.
  Examples may include: deduplication initiatives, authority control enhancements, cleanup of legacy metadata, or batch record updates.

5. Exploration of New Technologies

• Investigate and make recommendations regarding new and emerging metadata system capabilities, such as:
  • BIBFRAME
  • Linked Open Data (LOD)
  • AI-assisted metadata creation, enhancement, or entity management
  • Other emerging standards or tools relevant to the consortium’s metadata environment

Deliverables

The Task Force will provide:

• A written interim report summarizing initial findings and early recommendations.
• A comprehensive final report with actionable recommendations, workflow proposals, and any required policy revisions.
• Documentation of proposed merge rules, match methods, workflows, and project plans as appropriate.

Timeline

The Task Force will convene for an initial term of 12 months, with the possibility of renewal based on project needs.

Membership

The Task Force will consist of representatives from diverse member libraries, including catalogers, metadata specialists, systems librarians, and others with relevant expertise. CARLI staff will serve as liaisons and provide support as needed.