Data Dictionary: Metadata for Phonograph Records

The creation and maintenance of a metadata data dictionary is essential to large-scale digital repositories. It assists the process of data entry, ensures consistency of records, facilitates semantic compatibility and interoperability between systems, and, most importantly, forms the foundation for efficient and effective information retrieval infrastructure. In this paper we explain in detail the necessity of metadata data dictionaries to digitization projects and digital library retrieval services. We also describe the development process of our Data Dictionary for phonograph records. We then present the underlying data model of our Data Dictionary and provide information about the meaning and use of semantic units defined in the Data Dictionary. We stress the usefulness of the generation and maintenance of our Data Dictionary for MIR as it provides a means to ensure accurate, consistent, and comprehensive metadata annotation. For maximum interoperability between systems, digital repositories not only need to agree on the same metadata fields, but also the meanings of the fields. To this end, we believe our Data Dictionary is the cornerstone of optimal retrieval of music information about phonograph records.