Participating in Shared Digital Projects

Summary

Once you have at least one collection digitized and available in a CMS, you can start participating in shared digital projects. These are collaborative ventures where multiple organizations contribute their metadata to increase the visibility of their collections and enhance research opportunities for users. 

Why are Shared Digital Projects Important?

The goal of many shared digital projects overlaps with the goal of Open Access, namely to make cultural heritage collections accessible with as few restrictions as possible, in order to promote the exchange of ideas and the growth of knowledge. 

Shared digital projects further this goal by providing a single place where researchers can access unique, historic collections from contributing institutions. For contributing institutions, this increased visibility not only drives researchers to their collections, but it also puts their collections in context with other pieces of the historic record.

How Does Participation Work?

In order to participate in a shared digital project, the sharing institution needs to store their digital files and metadata in a system that can share metadata in a standardized way, and that metadata must conform to shared standards. (See: Metadata.) While each shared project is a little different, they all typically have a defined set of fields, plus guidelines for the values that go in those fields.

All shared digital projects need you to share your metadata, but how that happens is unique to each project. You may need to work with your vendor to understand and configure the sharing capabilities of your platform. For instance, how does it output metadata—OAI-PMH, xml feed, spreadsheet, or another method? Can you specify the criteria for sharing records? Can you limit sharing to certain collections?

While many shared digital projects have similar requirements, not all have the same time commitment expectations. Some are pretty hands-off once you contribute your records, while others need more consistent upkeep or ongoing communication. It’s important to consider the time commitment before embarking on a new shared project.

Examples of Shared Digital Projects

Suggested Recordings and Readings

Discussion Questions

  • Who is the primary audience for your collection(s)? Where are they and what are their needs?
  • Do you have stated goals related to sharing your digital collection(s)? How does this answer drive your policies, workflows, or project planning?
  • Do you participate in any shared digital projects? Or do you have any plans to do so?