New eCourse offers introduction to metadata and linked data

For Immediate Release
Thu, 08/20/2015

Contact:

Liz Steiner

Marketing Manager

ALA Publishing

esteiner@ala.org

CHICAGO — ALA Publishing announces an exciting new eCourse, Metadata and Linked Data—An Introduction. Dr. Oksana L. Zavalina will serve as the instructor for this six-week facilitated eCourse starting on Jan. 4, 2016.

Computers increasingly collect, manage and analyze data for scholarly research. Linked data and metadata give libraries the ability to support this eResearch, making them powerful tools. Unfortunately, libraries that are at a tipping point in adoption of linked data, and librarians that don’t learn about this topic are at risk of falling behind.

This course with experienced instructor and extensive teaching and research experience in linked data and metadata, Dr. Oksana L. Zavalina, will provide you with the tools to get started and the ability and resources to learn more on your own. Zavalina will cover topics, such as, the building blocks of metadata scheme (structure, syntax and semantics) and how metadata schemes are implemented in database records; application of several metadata schemes that are most widely used in digital libraries; and metadata role in Semantic Web and Linked Data environment.

After participating in this eCourse, you will:
  • understand what metadata is and how it is used to provide access to information;
  • learn the role of metadata in Semantic Web and Linked Library Data;
  • gain an understanding the principles of metadata quality and interoperability;
  • understand the key metadata schemes;
  • learn how to create descriptive metadata in major metadata schemes.

This eCourse will cover the following topics:

  • The building blocks of metadata scheme (structure, syntax, and semantics) and how metadata schemes are implemented in database records
  • Application of several metadata schemes that are most widely used in digital libraries
  • Metadata role in Semantic Web and Linked Data environment

About the Instructor

Dr. Oksana L. Zavalina is a faculty member at the University of North Texas (UNT). Dr. Zavalina earned both her MLIS degree and her Ph.D. degree from University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences. She possesses extensive practical, teaching, and research experience in the areas of library cataloging and digital library metadata. Her introductory and advances courses on cataloging and metadata constantly receive high student ratings on teaching effectiveness. Dr. Zavalina developed and presented two special training sessions on metadata at 2012 and 2013 TLA Annual conferences.

Registration for this facilitated eCourse, which begins on Jan. 4, 2016, can be purchased at the ALA Store. Participants in this course will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection for online message board participation, viewing online video, listening to streaming audio (MP3 files), and downloading and viewing PDF and PowerPoint files.

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