The role of metadata in the organization of access to the digital collections of the electronic library

Metadata has been proven to play a key role in managing bibliographic data in digital form. The use of metadata contributes to the efficiency of organization of access, search and management of bibliographic data. Through a systematic analysis of the use of metadata in the formation of digital collections, in particular on the example of the description of digital copies of archival documents from the Library's collection of the Manuscripts Department of the NTSh in Lviv, it was established that metadata significantly facilitates access, search, integration and management of digital resources. The analysis of the specifics of the use of metadata in the formation of the Library's digital collections confirms their significance. The scientific novelty of the work consists in the systematic study of the specifics of the application of metadata in this context. The proposed research methodology, which includes the analysis of standards, the development of a metadata scheme, annotation, testing and implementation of metadata, contributes to the improvement of accessibility, organization and structuring of digital collections in the library electronic infrastructure. The article analyzes the role of metadata in solving the problems of digital bibliographic data, such as access, search, integration and data management. A research methodology is proposed, which includes studying existing metadata standards and recommendations, developing a metadata schema, creating annotations for archival documents, performance testing, selecting metadata types, and implementation. This approach made it possible to systematize the process of forming digital collections and improve the accessibility, organization and finding of digital resources in the library's electronic infrastructure.