A method and system for allowing a user to define and use custom metadata
is disclosed. The method and system include providing a network
accessible server with a metadata library having plurality of metadata
vocabularies. The server allows the user to create a custom metadata
vocabulary by displaying a user interface on a client computer in which
the user specifies a plurality of properties defining the custom metadata
vocabulary. When the custom metadata vocabulary is defined, it is stored
in the metadata library for subsequent access. The method and system
further allow the user to search the metadata library to select at least
one of the metadata vocabularies to apply to an electronic resource.