Too Much Meta

Metadata is downright confusing. While collecting information, specifically graphic information, about Boliou Hall, I nearly wanted to pull my hair out.

How the MetaData Process Went for Me:

  1. In the Carleton College Archives, type “Boliou Hall” and look at what seemed to be hundreds of pictures that were in fact, not Boliou Hall. Upon finding pictures that were actually useful, I downloaded them. Something is going right.
  2. When clicking on the actual pictures themselves, I notice that there is sparse information about the picture. And looking at the Metadata sheet, I want to go back in time and tell whoever archived these images to do a better job (too harsh? Sorry!) Look below to see how little information was given.
    Screen Shot 2015-10-06 at 1.10.53 AM
  3. I go to the Data Entry Spreadsheet and begin filling out as much information as I possibly can. There’s the title, the date, the somewhat odd description, and the basics. However, when I get to ‘Contributer’ and ‘Rights’, I begin to stumble. And so I leave it blank, in hopes that I can get it right with a fresh pair of eyes (that aren’t mine because clearly I am failing at this.)
  4. I move on to the second picture and by now, I can feel my frustration rising in my chest. I ask myself, why does this have to be so complicated? Although, I know it really isn’t too difficult and I’m just perhaps not thinking outside of the box.
  5. I fill out and don’t fill out the same boxes on the spreadsheet and tell myself to try tomorrow.

Through this extremely disheartening process, I can definitely see the pros to collecting data in this way. It’s extremely particular and detailed which inevitably leads to having more comprehensive information about the data. Metadata is great for contextual knowledge and for those who just want to know the who, what, where, when, and why’s of everything. However, I do have to say that the process is a little to rigid and detail-oriented for my liking. Why can’t we look at the bigger picture and then go on to narrow down our focuses? That just makes more sense in my opinion. If I were to conduct research, I don’t think I’d jump on the metadata train right away. I’d rather break it down slowly, allowing for more freedom of deduction and of simple thought formulation.

Metadata may be a love note to the future, but is a convoluted jumble of words to me.

kassahunm

One Comment

  1. Wow, we had completely different experiences. This just goes to show that some parts of the archives are more difficult to navigate through than others. While I have a different stance than you, I’m glad you shared your opinion, as it is helpful for those who are thinking to do this task.

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