Search

Formally established in the fall of 1947, the Laboratory of Archaeology at the University of Georgia is an archaeological research and collection repository. It is considered one of the premier institutions for curation of archaeological collections from the American Southeast. For over 70 years, the Laboratory has served as a repository for objects and associated records generated from archaeological projects and research undertaken by faculty, students, CRM professionals, and state and federal agencies. The Laboratory curates over 20,000 cubic feet of artifacts as well as paper and digital archives. In addition, the Laboratory houses the Georgia Archaeological Site File and manages data from more than 59,000 archaeological sites, including over 11,500 archaeological reports. In this paper, we explore implementation procedures for bringing legacy collections up to modern curation standards. We also outline how we migrate the data on paper records into the digital realm, articulating them within a comprehensive framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to characterize the maturity of digital initiatives in Philippine academic libraries, focusing on the sustainability of digitization activities. For its literature review, this paper presents local digitization initiatives, guidelines, standards, and good practices on digitization as presented in research, and prevailing digital library services during the COVID-19 pandemic. It employed a descriptive-comparative research design to obtain information on digitization programs implemented in higher education and research-producing institutions. Five of the 12 verified institutions with digitization programs were engaged for further interviews. The respondents cited the lack of staff, dedicated physical space, and inadequate equipment and funding as barriers to implementing a digitization program. Most of the respondents' digitization initiatives began in response to external triggers rather than as a part of a comprehensive strategy to provide digital library services. The project-based approach to these activities affects the sustainability of digitization programs. The study recommends organizing more consultancy programs in digitization, teaching digitization ICT applications in LIS schools, information companies offering digitization services, digitization communities of practice, and consortia for sharing facilities and expertise. With the requirements of a more robust digital framework to provide flexible access, Philippine academic libraries must review their short- and long-term goals and figure out where digitization can be integrated within said goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore library research that uses geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to evaluate library services and resources to ascertain current trends and establish future directions for this growing research area. Design/methodology/approach: The study searched full text for geographic information systems in two databases: Library and Information Science Source (LISS) and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA), replicating the method used in a prior literature review. The titles and abstracts of the search results were analyzed to gather only the research that used GIS as a tool to measure and analyze library services. Findings: This study found growth in the last decade for library research using GIS. There remain two ways the tool is primarily used: to analyze service areas and to manage facilities and collections. Practical implications: The findings are relevant for library and information science researchers and practitioners because they summarize a specific area of research that has grown and changed and that still has potential to be used more widely. Using GIS in practice and research could benefit all library users and nonusers because spatial analysis facilitates more precise and informed delivery of services and resources. Originality/value: The paper provides future directions for use of GIS in library research and attempts to define subdivisions within this research area to clarify the area for researchers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As libraries and communities consider institutional values and ethical standards, there is a need to scrutinize how those values and standards connect with collections decisions. An existing body of literature about the contents of the collections exists, with respect to issues like decolonization and open access, but little about the business relationships libraries maintain in order to acquire these collections. In this paper, librarians from Purdue University take a critical approach to identifying the values of their institution at multiple levels, including a newly released Libraries strategic plan, to create a values-based evaluation tool for future collection assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to present updated statistics demonstrating the value of cataloging free Internet resources and the challenges of batch loading, vendor records, electronic resource modules and discovery tools, as an update to the 2008 paper in this journal Design/methodology/approach – Updates the statistics from the URL redirection system for tracking user access to freely available Web publications. Findings – With more projects and bibliographic records included within the scope of the project, users still find and use the links to outbound content. New technologies and management methods support the cataloging of free Web content, even if, at times, cataloging standards are compromised. Originality/value – Several studies have focused on US federal document clickthroughs from the library catalog, but this is the only study to exclusively track clickthroughs to freely available Web content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to, invariably, critically look at primary records, their origins, categorization, uses and what the future holds for them, amid changing times. From the cradle of civilization, people have been using varied ways to record, store and distribute information. Years back, people kept their records on such materials as wax, papyrus, leather, clay, parchment, paper and wood. But recent technological developments have brought about different formats which in turn have influenced the choice of materials and methods used to write and circulate information. Design/methodology/approach – This is a viewpoint paper on primary documents in library and information service institutions. The paper critically looks at the different types of primary documents, how they are collected, the challenges involved and their future amid changing technological times. Relevant literature was consulted, including the Internet. Findings – The findings are that the future of primary documents will remain bleak if librarians, curators, records managers and archivists do not give serious thought to primary documents regardless of the fact that they are germane in library and information science. Originality/value – This is a viewpoint paper on primary documents. Relevant information was drawn from varied readings in library and information service institutions as well as from the Internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Duke University's Archive of Documentary Arts as a case study, this paper will examine acquisition and cataloging strategies that can be applied within the structure of an existing special collections library in order to develop diverse and inclusive photography collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista CPC is the property of Revista CPC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Conservar Património is the property of Associacao Profissional de Conservadores-Restauradores de Portugal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Queensland Museum is custodian of a growing and significant historical archaeology collection, acquired over recent decades and originating solely within Queensland. Recent curatorial work produced a summary of the collection identifying key themes, assemblages and cultural significance. This data was collated into a collection summary document and used to strategically inform management of the Museum's historical archaeology collection. This process of characterising the collection revealed collection gaps including under-representation of key themes and chronological periods within Queensland's development. The characterisation also highlighted issues commonly identified in literature as a 'curation crisis', including storage pressures, issues of accessibility, and an ongoing lack of engagement with the collection by curators, researchers and the broader community. This paper outlines the collection summary project and details strategic activities designed to alleviate the crisis as it manifests at the Queensland Museum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although significance assessment is widely used in heritage management to clarify the important values of objects and places, its use to guide the management of archaeological collections is uncommon. In this paper we present a case study of the application of significance assessment to archaeological collections recovered from non-Aboriginal sites. The 'Rapid Assessment System' developed in 2013 in response to the potential deaccessioning of historic archaeological collections held by Heritage Victoria, the Victorian state repository, has now been systematically applied to more than 150 existing and new collections. This has demonstrated the usefulness of the approach in providing evidence to guide decisions about deaccessioning and efficient allocation of resources for management of archaeological collections. The assessment outcomes have also informed the development of new guidelines for excavation and recording, leading to greater clarity around the significance of new collections and their potential for research and display. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how a new academic library works. Design/methodology/approach – The author used statistical data and anecdotal evidence. Findings – The findings were that digital library materials have dramatically changed how libraries operate. Originality/value – The library featured in this story is the University of Calgary’s main library which is called the Taylor Family Digital Library, which is meant to be a library with digital technology as its main focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The British Library’s GBP 33m Newspaper Programme, which is now nearing completion, was established to address a range of legacy issues associated with ensuring the long term storage, preservation and access to the UK’s national newspaper collection, one of the largest and most comprehensive newspaper collections anywhere in the world with more than 750 million pages of newspapers spanning more than three centuries. The programme has delivered a purpose-built state-of-the-art storage facility, with a fully automated retrieval system and full temperature and humidity control, that will enable the British Library’s print newspaper collections to be kept in archival standard conditions for the first time ever. A new service proposition – the Newsroom – has been created at St Pancras which will, through a combination of collecting and connecting and by combining traditional print and microfilm newspaper content with television and radio broadcast news recordings and with web news into an integrated offering, transform the traditional newspaper reading room concept into a hub for news and media. Increased digitization will both enable online access and protect the original newsprint from further wear and tear. The paper reports on a number of innovative solutions which have been adopted in taking the Newspaper Programme forward – in particular in relation to digitization funding models, storage solutions, onsite service provision, and accessibility – and as such it provides a case study in national library innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The production of millions of artificially mummified animals by the ancient Egyptians is an extraordinary expression of religious piety. Millions of creatures of numerous species were preserved, wrapped in linen and deposited as votive offerings; a means by which the Egyptians communicated with their gods. The treatment of animals in this manner resulted in a wealth of material culture; the excavation and distribution of which formed a widely dispersed collection of artefacts in museum and private collections around the world. Due to ad hoc collection methods and the poorly recorded distribution of animal mummies, many artefacts have unknown or uncertain provenance. Researchers at the University of Manchester identified a group of eight mummies positively attributed to the 1913–1914 excavation season at Abydos, now held in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts. This paper presents the investigation of this discreet group of provenanced mummies through stylistic evaluation of the exterior, and the assessment of the contents and construction techniques employed using clinical radiography. Dating of one mummy places the artefact—and likely that of the whole assemblage—within the Late Period (c.664–332BC). Considering these data enables the mummies to be interpreted as the Egyptians intended; as votive artefacts produced within the sacred landscape at Abydos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many collections in the UK include some radioactive objects, which must be managed in accordance with the Environmental Permitting Regulations and the Ionising Radiation Regulations. These laws are complex and cover a wide range of industries so it can be difficult to work out how they apply to museums in practice. Museums in the UK also have to consider how to integrate their legal obligations for working with radiation with accepted museum ethical guidelines, SPECTRUM 5.0 and the Accreditation Standard. This paper aims to illustrate how radioactive objects can be practically managed in a small museum context through examples from the Polar Museum in Cambridge, where the Radiation Protection team and the conservator have worked closely since 2009 to develop robust procedures. It covers many collections based activities including display, storage and conservation, and discusses these in the context of recent updates to UK law. A risk assessment template for working with radioactive collections is included as an Appendix.