The uses of archival metadata for administration and resource discovery

This thesis examines the types of metadata collected during accessioning and description and provides a model for archivists planning to evaluate metadata management within their own institutions. Chapter 1 outlines my overall objectives and methodology. Chapter 2 examines research on administrative metadata and recommends a minimum set of elements that should be captured early in the accessioning process. Chapter 3 reviews literature on descriptive metadata and suggests strategies for improving resource discovery of archival holdings. Chapter 4 contains a case study of the pilot metadata use survey implemented in the Dalhousie University Archives, the results of which form the basis of the policies and procedures to standardize administrative metadata collection, streamline the description process, and improve resource discovery outlined in the Appendices. Chapter 5 summarizes my findings and articulates how archivists can adapt the methodology for their own use.