A couple of weeks ago, I posted some high-level findings from "Development, Use, and Modification of Book Product Metadata", a research report emanating from a project we recently completed for the Book Industry Study Group (BISG). The earlier posts covered:
- Process recommendations
- "Future-proofing" recommendations
- Examples of additional, modified and problematic uses of metadata
The final report, which runs 37 pages, is now available through BISG for $199 (members) and $499 (non-members). BISG is also offering an executive summary, part of the full report, to its members at no charge ($49 for non-members). Both PDF and EPUB 2 formats are available.
The project is based on the findings obtained through 30 interviews and a survey of 125 supply-chain participants. The final report includes those findings, supplemented with our analysis of the strengths and opportunities evident in the existing book industry supply chain.
The project began in February and was supported by: BookNet Canada (Coordinating Partner); Disney Publishing Worldwide, Hachette Book Group, John Wiley & Sons and Random House (Silver Sponsors); Readerlink, Sensible Solutions and Sourcebooks (Supporting Sponsors); and Safari Books Online and Sally Dedecker Enterprises (Friend Sponsors).
The research was initially summarized as part of BISG's "Making Information Pay" conference, with the final report used to kick off a three-part webinar series. BISG's metadata committee was also briefed on the project at its June meeting.
The last live look at the webinar series takes place at 1:00 p.m. today, but the three sessions will be archived and made available for purchase. BISG is also planning a roundtable discussion in later July.
