The role of folksonomy in digital curation: perspectives from access

Abstract

In Web 2.0, elements are presented that propose different forms of interaction and new spaces of action for cultural facilities and, consequently, for information professionals. In the 2.0 environment, a closer relationship between the Internet user and the digital information environments was allowed. However, the complexity of digital objects led to the need for Digital Curation, and one of the facets of this complexity, Folksonomy, enabled this interaction between Internet users and information professionals. In this context, the present work asks: What are the relationships between preservation and access in Digital Curation? What are the relationships between Folksonomy and Digital Curation? How can Folksonomy and Digital Curation, together, help information professionals? This research is justified by the need for collaborative processes in the stages of digital curation; it is also justified by the need for greater interaction between information professionals and communities of interest. The general objective of this work is to understand how Folksonomy can function as an element of access and preservation in Digital Curation. The specific objectives are: to investigate the relationship between access and preservation in Digital Curation; explain the relationship between Folksonomy and Digital Curation; explore the possibilities of action of the information professional through Digital Curatorship and Folksonomy. The present work is qualitative in nature, and the methodology used is theoretical and exploratory. At first, a bibliographic survey and a literature review were carried out, based on the materials found. Finally, a theoretical framework was built to meet the proposed objectives. The literature was searched, selected and analyzed based on the principles of Digital Curation and Folksonomy, in view of the possibilities of the information professional in new perspectives of preservation and access. The present study proposes an inversion of the Digital Curation process. Thus, it is considered that the relationship between preservation and access in Digital Curation can occur in two ways: one can preserve digital objects and then provide access, or the reverse process - access can provide the preservation of digital objects. The main result is an adaptation of the Digital Curation Life Cycle, focused on actions that involve community participation. It is noteworthy that Folksonomy depends on the performance of non-specialized individuals, thus, it is necessary for the information professional to integrate these collaborative practices in the information units.