Inside-Out and Outside-In: A Holistic Approach to Metadata Assessment for an Off-Site Storage Collection.

As more libraries rely on remote storage facilities to preserve print collections, this presents challenges for resource discovery and access. Since off-site storage facilities often have no open shelves or public access, increased importance is placed on metadata to connect users to resources. At the University of Toronto Libraries (UTL), we conducted a metadata assessment of the serials collection located in its Downsview high-density storage facility. Using quantitative and qualitative methods based on the assessment metrics proposed by Bruce and Hillmann (2004) we gained a holistic view of the quality and effectiveness of the metadata for the Downsview serials collection. The study also revealed many of the challenges associated with making off-site resources discoverable and accessible in online systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]