Cataloguing in the Digital Age module (RM50013)

Digital technologies and the rise of the internet have transformed how catalogues are created, presented and used. This has had far-reaching effects on the day-to-day work of archivists and researchers.

The purpose of this module is to offer a deep dive into cataloguing as a core aspect of archival practice in an digital world. Topics covered include:

• tools and systems for creating, managing and presenting catalogue data
• the development and impact of data standards
• arranging and describing born-digital and digitised material
• sharing and linking data for greater visibility and discoverability
• user experience of online catalogues
• crowdsourcing and user-participation

The module will emphasise practical challenges over theory. Both established key principles and evolving ideas will inform these challenges.

You will reflect on and assess how evolving technologies, standards and practices can be applied in your own and other work contexts.

What will you learn

In this module you will:

• understand the historical and current role of computers. This will be regarding their impact on archivists, records managers and their users
• learn about initiatives to provide digital access to archive collections. This includes collections of digitally created records and their development
• gain in-depth understanding of the application of descriptive standards in the digital environment. This will also cover topics such as:
  • the importance of metadata
  • the application of thesauri
  • indexing standards
• gain practical experience of using descriptive standards with electronic cataloguing systems. This includes XML/EAD solutions and an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses
• have an appreciation of the current state of development of the UK National Archives Network. You will learn about the problems of interoperability between its various strands

By the end of the module, you will be able to:

• appreciate the historical and current role of technology in providing access to archive collections both in the UK and abroad
• be aware of the needs of differing archive users. You will understand the challenges this poses in providing digital and remote access to archive catalogues. You will see how these have been addressed so far by the archive profession
• understand and confidently apply descriptive standards in digital environments. This includes being able to use XML mark-up
• critically evaluate the options available for providing digital access to collections. This includes the selection of appropriate thesauri and indexing terms
• understand how the current strands of the UK National Archives Network have developed and relate to one another. You will also understand the interoperability problems of bringing such a network together

Assignments / assessment

Coursework (100%) consisting of: 

• essay (30%)
• report (30%) 
• assessed tasks (30%) 
• discussion board participation (10%) 

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

• independent study (100%)