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  • 1.  Seeking Digital Archive/Digital Repository Website Suggestions

    Posted 20 days ago
    Hi Friends,

    I am helping a small historical organization. They have records that go back a few hundred years back. Some are digitized.

    They need their first-ever official Digital Archives and Digital Repository website. 

    They have a modest budget and seek something as user friendly as possible.

    I am wondering if anyone can recommend a digital archive site or system (that they have added onto an existing website) that they really like.

    They are looking for a place to upload digital files to rest in one place, but that can also be built into a public-facing site with a good search engine. They want to be able to create digital exhibits from archival materials. Their plan is to eventually make these records and images also available to scholars around the world.

    I have worked in a lot of editorial CMS systems but I am in a discovery phase with digital archive websites. 

    I would be grateful for any of your suggestions.

    Thank you so much!

    Happy holidays!
    Laurie Sue
    --

    Laurie Sue Brockway, D.Min, MAPH





  • 2.  RE: Seeking Digital Archive/Digital Repository Website Suggestions

    Posted 19 days ago
    Greetings, Laurie Sue!  I, too, am helping a small historical society with a similar project.  We are using Collective Access, (https://www.collectiveaccess.org/) which is gaining popularity in Connecticut and is spear-headed by CT Humanities.

    Good Luck!  Vivian



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Seeking Digital Archive/Digital Repository Website Suggestions

    Posted 19 days ago
    Thank you so much. VIvian!

    I am looking through their website. Looks promising!

    I appreciate your help.

    Happy New Year,
    Laurie Sue

    --

    Laurie Sue Brockway, D.Min, MAPH





    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Seeking Digital Archive/Digital Repository Website Suggestions

    Posted 19 days ago

    Laurie,

    Ashley Brewer has managed a really great list of collection management systems since 2017, this bloc post links to a spreadsheet that was last updated in August. https://bits.ashleyblewer.com/blog/2017/08/09/collection-management-system-collection/

    I would also second Vivian's suggestion for CollectiveAccess. I have deployed it for several museums and archives with varying skill levels in their staff and volunteers. 

    Cheers,

    Matt Patulski
    Digital Practitioner
    Poplar
    https://poplar.media



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    Matthew Patulski
    Digital Practioner
    Grand Rapids MI
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Seeking Digital Archive/Digital Repository Website Suggestions

    Posted 19 days ago
    Hi Matt,

    Thank you so much for your response. I am glad to know you have also used CollectiveAcess!

    I am grateful, also, to have this amazing resource from Ashley Brewer.

    Wow. I am looking through this treasure trove of information on the spreadsheet.

    Thanks again to you, and to Vivian. And Ashley.

    Wishing all a Happy New Year,
    Laurie Sue

    --

    Laurie Sue Brockway, D.Min, MAPH





    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Seeking Digital Archive/Digital Repository Website Suggestions

    Posted 18 days ago

    Laurie, 

    My museum is pretty small (2 full time staff, 3 part-time; less than 20,000 objects/archival materials). In the past my museum used LUNA, a Digital Access Management System. We weren't a big fan of it as it had a lot of limitations, it required us to input information twice since it wasn't tied to our collections database systems (PastPerfect), and required knowledge of metadata. We recently switched to PastPerfect Web Edition which gave us the ability to have Public Access aka allow external people to view our records. So far we really like this new system as it's very customizable and allows us to input information just once (and no need to know metadata!). We also get to pick and chose which records are available for the public to see and what information from those records they can see (for example, in an object's record we can put its location within our storage space but that information isn't visible to the public). They also have the ability to host exhibits. It can be pricy, but you may be able to purchase the cheaper version (PastPerfect 5.0) and connect it to Public Access. For more info, here's their website: https://museumsoftware.com/webedition.html

    I hope this helps!

    Erin



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    Erin Benz
    Collections Manager
    Montclair History Center
    Montclair NJ
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Seeking Digital Archive/Digital Repository Website Suggestions

    Posted 12 days ago
    Dear Erin-

    Thank you so much for sharing your experience and this information about digital archives!

    I really appreciate it.

    Laurie Sue

    --

    Laurie Sue Brockway, D.Min, MAPH





    Original Message


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