Object description and Archiving:
Several papers look at methods of describing and indexing objects. Should descriptions be from a functional viewpoint or a design viewpoint? What are the implications of the approach for a user of a database or index? The archivist is faced with similar problems and two papers from school archivists will look at describing material to engage secondary school students in historical studies. The programme also includes a visit to the Brighton Historical Society to look at their collections, the way in which items are described and the way in which they are used.
Database and Web indexing:
On-line databases and web sites need to provide consistency of access if users are to find the materials they seek. Two approaches to this problem are the subject of papers: The use of a thesaurus of descriptors will be discussed by Matt Moore in his paper on the need for thesauri and methods of developing them. Anna Gifford will offer another approach, looking at the advantages and limitations of user-defined tags for information sharing under Web 3.0. For those interested in developing a specialised thesaurus, there is also a workshop on thesaurus construction, led by Mary Russell, which is included in the conference fee. We are also fortunate to have Ely Wallis talking on the Atlas of Living Australia.
Tim Sherratt
The keynote speaker on the Wednesday is Tim Sherratt, the recent winner of the National Library Harold White Fellowship and one of the people behind Mapping our Anzacs and The History Wall, will outline the developments that are shifting our online experience from search results to starting points.
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