Exploration of Metadata Practices in Digital Collections of Archives with Arabian Language Materials

Abstract

A high proportion of materials held by archives in Arabian Gulf and included in digital collections are oral histories, manuscripts, and other language content. As metadata is important for resource discovery, this study aimed to develop understanding of the current state of metadata practices in digital collections of archival institutions in the Arabian Gulf region. It also explored perspectives (including attitudes and possible barriers) for development of large-scale regional portals that would facilitate discovery of Arab digital archives (including language collections) by aggregating metadata. This research project used semi-structured interviews of the managers of 4 out of 5 digital language archives in Kuwait. Results provide insights into perspectives of metadata interoperability among archives and suggest the need for metadata training, and documenting metadata creation guidelines. Findings contribute to evaluating the feasibility of and planning for future functional regional aggregations of cultural heritage digital collections.

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