Understanding from Context Pairing EAD and Digital Repository Description Ann Hanlon and Jennifer O’Brien Roper, University of Maryland Libraries

Where we started Image management concerns in Special Collections –Utilizing increasing requests for scans –Utilizing existing metadata from legacy databases

Where we started

Image management concerns in Special Collections –Utilizing increasing requests for scans –Utilizing existing metadata from legacy databases Creating a stronger online presence –Clearly communicate collection context

Concept: Overview Unite two forms of description –Collection-based archival description EAD finding aids –Item level description Digital repository Multiple avenues for discovery

Concept: EAD Existing finding aids already encoded in EAD Archival description as an effective model for digital projects Item level description primarily for identification

Concept: Digital Repository Focus on item as a discrete object Degree of analysis enables many thematic contexts Ability to define multiple relationships

Concept: Bringing them Together Collection based finding aids Item level description and subject analysis One interconnected resource with multiple points of discovery

Implementation ArchivesUM –Modify existing system

ArchivesUM

Implementation ArchivesUM –Modify existing system Digital Object Repository –Build new system (FEDORA)

Existing Resources Metadata from legacy databases EAD encoded finding aids 150 th anniversary scans Transitional database Capturing existing workflows (University of Virginia)

EAD: Decisions about Finding Aids What can be described in a finding aid? –Non-archival collections –Digital library projects

EAD: Item-level linking Where to link to in the finding aid? –Deciding on item-level specificity –Changing existing workflows

Title: Woman feeding chickens, Edith Green Diary Collection: Papers of the Brooke Family Date: October 9, 1893 Subjects: Chickens Poultry Agriculture Family farms

EAD: Item-level linking EAD-encoded Finding Aid 1 "[Woman feeding chickens, Edith Green Diary]" October 9, 1893 <dao linktype="simple" id=" (Persistent ID)" actuate="onrequest" show="new"/> Digital Object Repository Record Persistent Identifier: Container Level Link: container ID

EAD: Decisions about Style Sheets Improving Navigation –James Madison Carpenter Collection Online Catalogue

EAD: Decisions about Style Sheets

Improving Navigation –James Madison Carpenter Collection Online Catalogue Googling and keeping your place

EAD: Decisions about Style Sheets Improving Navigation –James Madison Carpenter Collection Online Catalogue Keeping your place Loading a richer resource –Caching HTML

Digital Object Repository Broad public access to digitized images Rich descriptive standard –Based on Dublin Core and VRA Core –Enables discovery in a variety of contexts Link to finding aid and collection context

Persistent identifier: Main Title: Orioles vs. Jersey City - July 16, 1944 Coverage Place: Continent: North America Country: United States Region: Maryland Settlement: Baltimore Coverage Time: Century: Date: Culture: American Description: Photo of the first official game played by the Baltimore Orioles versus Jersey City in the original Baltimore Stadium after Oriole Park burned down Topical Subject: Baltimore Orioles (American Association : Baseball team) Topical Subject: Baltimore News American Topical Subject: Baseball teams – United States – Maryland – Baltimore – Pictorial works Topical Subject:Photography Temporal Subject: Temporal Subject: Part of: Baltimore News American Image CollectionBaltimore News American Image Collection Repository: Historical Manuscripts

Where we are Now Migration from legacy databases Testing concepts Better access and understanding