Image embedded metadata in cultural heritage digital collections on the web

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the availability of embedded metadata within images of digital cultural collections. It is designed to examine a proposed hypothesis that most digitally derived images of cultural resources are stripped of their metadata once they are placed on the web. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 603 images were selected randomly from four cultural portals which aggregate digitized cultural collections, then four steps in the data collection process took place to examine image metadata via the web-based tool and windows application. Findings The study revealed that 28.5 percent of the analyzed images contained metadata, no links exist between image embedded metadata and its metadata record or the pages of the websites analyzed, and there is a significant usage of Extensible Metadata Platform to encode embedded metadata within the images. Practical implications The findings of the study may encourage heritage digital collection providers to reconsider their metadata preservation practices and policies to enrich the content of embedded metadata. In addition, it will raise awareness about the potential and value of embedded metadata in enhancing the findability and exchange of digital collections. Originality/value This study is ground breaking in that it is one of the early studies, especially in the Arab world, which aim to recognize the use of image embedded metadata within cultural heritage digital collections on the web.

The impact of COVID-19 on museums in the digital era: Practices and challenges in Hong Kong

“…Further, intellectual property rights and privacy violations have become topical issues. The best way to identify, access, describe, and preserve electronic resources is still being explored (Saleh, 2018).…”

Keeping it under lock and keywords: exploring new ways to open up the web archives with notebooks

“…With the sheer volume of digital material, and specifically born-digital material, it is impossible to index everything to improve searchability. There have been successful attempts to automate part of this process (Corrado 2019 ; Saleh 2018 ), but there is also a movement of ideas towards the benefits of this material being digital. This shift in thinking started around the 2010s where the digitised material went from being classed as digital surrogates to being seen as enriched and useful data in itself (Nicholson 2013 ).…”

Data modeling and evaluation of deep semantic annotation for cultural heritage images

“…However, a more comprehensive standard for cultural heritage resources is needed (Hu et al, 2018). After investigating metadata within digital cultural collections' images, Saleh (2018) suggested heritage digital collection providers reconsider their metadata preservation practices and policies to enrich the content of embedded metadata. Therefore, the semantic analysis of image content must be considered.…”