Badge drops and points galore: Crowdsourcing metadata at a public library archive

Abstract

This paper discusses two strategies for crowdsourcing metadata at a public library archive: (1) leveraging social media networks to identify people and places in photographs; and (2) gamification techniques for large-scale metadata collection. A comparative approach leads to conclusions about best practices for different contexts and goals. Crowdsourcing initiatives encourage participants to build a relationship with an institution or repository. Smaller-scale crowdsourcing campaigns often succeed not just in collecting metadata, but in drawing in new users. Crowdsourcing via social media can boost community engagement, strengthen partnerships and raise awareness about collection highlights. Larger-scale metadata collection via gamification is more oriented towards individuals and existing users. Designed with user engagement in mind, crowdsourcing via online games can succeed in both digital outreach and metadata collection.