From the Winter of Messy Data into the Spring of Standardization: E-Book Vendor Data Reenvisioned

The University of South Florida (USF) Libraries run several projects which involve the collection and display of ebook vendor metadata including seven evidence-based acquisitions (EBA) programs, one patron-driven acquisitions (PDA) program and the eBooks for Classroom Plus (EB+) database. These projects are the main focus of the Libraries’ Textbook Affordability Project (TAP). The TAP initiative’s goal is help reduce textbook cost to students by providing faculty with ebook alternatives. The metadata used in these projects is collected from a variety of vendor sources including titles lists, K-Bart files entitlement lists and Marc records. Compiling data from various sources into a useable form can sometimes be a daunting task. The USF Libraries Metadata Team has developed processes which allows the library to collect eBook information from various vendors and multiple sources and combine it into standardized forms. Standardized metadata provides the means for USF Libraries to track and maintain the various ebook projects.