VRA 2021 virtualChicago

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. Copyright and permissions in the age of digital reproduction have also added to the responsibilities placed upon those who catalog, manage, and provide reference access to archival images.    This discussion spotlights the ways that visual resources are collected and used in archives.  Speakers/discussion leaders will come from a variety of archives (photography, university, corporate, government, and museums). Together we will lead a facilitated discussion on our challenges and successes in working with digital images, dialoguing about the areas where visual resources disciplines intersect.