Content area
Metadata is data about data, a term that got wide prominence to denote cataloguing and representation of digital information resources. This paper attempts to present a brief about old and new metadata formats such as Dublin Core, Text Encoding Initiative, Encoded Archival Description, Government (Global) Information Locator Service, Platform for Internet Content Selection, Resource Description Framework, Meta Content Framework, Summary Object Interchange Format, Digital Object Identifier, Serial Item and Contribution Identifier, Uniform Resource Characteristics, and Learning Object Metadata. As electronic information resources are rising and digital library initiatives are getting wide acceptance, knowledge of metadata formats will help our library professionals in adapting their skills in cataloguing, classification, subject heading, key wording, and indexing for better inventory and exhaustive usage of electronic information.