Metadata Architecture for Digital Libraries: Conceptual framework for Indian Digital Libraries

Abstract: This paper describes approach of development of Metadata solution for digital library architecture for resource description and retrieval. This deals with the concept of Metadata[2], the different Metadata standards (Dublin core in particular[3]), Digital library Environment, Computer Network capabilities etc. This paper also discusses two of the Digital Library architecture protocols, for resource description and retrieval: they are STARTS (Stanford Protocol Proposal for Internet Retrieval and Search)[4.2] and SODA (Smart Objects and Dump Archives)[4.1] architecture to arrive at a possible protocol which would help to build Indian Digital Libraries [5]. While proposing the new architecture the existing Indian Environment with respect to Information Sources and User's query of the Information Sources[5.1], which are feasible for launch of this protocol for information processing and retrieval has been taken care. This is a pilot study which the author has done while doing his Fulbright fellowship in the College of Library Information Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, MD during 1999-2000