Archives are abundant sources for image content, with many of those digital objects being unique to their holding institution. The current environment has archivists serving a burgeoning demand throughout society. Users’ increased requests have archivists honing their metadata skills to provide better access to individual archival items in digital formats. This increased need for access to images in cultural heritage collections creates challenges for archivists to not only provide reference access but also to maintain the integrity and security of their collections.
This facilitated discussion spotlights the ways that visual resources are collected and used in archives. Speakers/discussion leaders work in a variety of archives (photography, university, library, and government). Together we will lead a conversation with our attendees about our collective challenges and successes in working with digital images, dialoguing about the areas where visual resources disciplines intersect.
Our questions and topics include:
- How might one’s educational background turn out to provide methodological training, useful field experience, and a deeper understanding of archival materials and ways to contextualize them for users?
- What are the different approaches to metadata in archives and in visual resources libraries?
- What impacts is the COVID-19 pandemic having on archival collections and projects, specifically access and use?
We also invite you to bring your own questions about the interconnections of archives and visual resources.
