Museum-Collection Data Cooperation and Metadata

the Current State in the United States and Possibilities in Japan

Abstract

This article introduces the current state of museum-collection information cooperation in the United States based on a report by OCLC Research and our site visits in the US. We trace its history and discuss recent trends. The main objective of OCLC Research's effort is to "construct a metadata exchange model for museum-collection information" through a series of procedures involving creation of data sharing tools, data exchange, and data analysis. New innovative effort is under way to standardize cultural heritage information. We also introduce this new effort, with its background, goals and challenges. We then shift our attention to similar projects in Japan with regards to cultural heritage information cooperation and address possibilities and challenges.