I am undertaking a digitisation project but our current software is outdated. We have researched applications that could be used, but with our limited budget and resources it is difficult to find something suitable.
We have an application to share our digitised collection, but need one to store and manage the digitised files and related metadata.
Our collection is undergoing digitisation and will contain approximately:
-1850 manuscripts (multiple digitised pages in each)
-1500 books
-50000 images
-5000 pieces of ephemera
We require an application that is user friendly, low-cost, and easy to implement. We are conscious of future-proofing this collection and would like an application that makes the data harvestable should we need to export in the future. I understand that these are very specific needs but hope that there is a practical solution.
Can anyone recommend software that they have used or have heard is successful?
Replies
If the idea is to have somewhere to store the digital masters, you may be interested in Archivematica? It's an open source preservation software system developed by the same people as AtoM. https://www.archivematica.org/en/
We're working with it at SROWA, for both born digital and digitised items, and the work that is being done on it at the moment is impressive - http://archival-integration.blogspot.com.au/
Lise
Hi Sophie
I'm happy to talk to you about using AtoM which is particularly strong on data export and a good solution for limited budgets and archival standards also. At ANU Archives we have descriptions for 2,000 deposits/series and 180,000 items and are also harvested by Trove which might also be on interest to you.
Maggie Shapley
maggie.shapley@anu.edu.au
Perhaps Atom? It's what I'm going to be trialling for a similar project with our local history collection. It might be that you would need help getting it set up though. The Australian National University Archives use it, so it might be worthwhile talking to someone from that unit to see if it is the right program for you.
https://www.ica-atom.org/
Hi Sophie,
It does require a bit more questioning. I don't know if you have been through this already and don't want to sound condescending. However it's a good idea to determine:
There are free, museum software out there, such as greenstone, however these may not always be the best option. You want something that presents the archive. Cheap or free may have a short life or provide limited use.
James
I know, finding a program that caters to our exact needs is going to be difficult. Ideally, we don't want an in-browser program as we have our own security on private servers. These servers are backed up throughout the day.
We're leaning towards some sort of open access software because of our cost restrictions - however we have accepted that some form of cost will be needed whether that is in the form of IT help or additional software. There is minimal IT experience within our current team.
I've had a look at many applications (project Greenstone, DSpace, the NAA suite just to name a few) and the main concern we have is that a high level of IT experience is required with these to either install or support the system in the future.
Did you have any recommendations already in mind?
Sorry this is off from your subject request but I was wondering what the application is that you are using to share the digitised collection please?