Increasing discoverability and access for the Massachusetts Archives Our Common Wealth: Increasing discoverability and access for the Massachusetts Archives utilizing WordPress Society of American Archivists and Council of State Archivists Conference August 5, 2016 Veronica Martzahl Digital Records Archivist Massachusetts Archives
Looking Back In August 2013 Most Record Group and Series information managed through MARC records accessible through WorldCat and ArchiveGrid Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Looking Back In August 2013 All accession and box level description managed in ACCESS database – no online component available Series of 20+ binders at Reference Desk Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Looking Back In August 2013 Textual synopsis of holdings on Archives website A few online indices Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Looking Back In August 2013 FamilySearch – only direct access to digital objects Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Basic Need Provide access to born-digital records – particularly those of the out-going gubernatorial administration Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Advantages of Universal Access Interface Built in a familiar WordPress environment Basic customization easily implemented Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Basic modifications Customization to match look and feel of Secretary’s websites – minimal tech skills needed Graphics department provided banner image to the appropriate specifications. I did break search a couple times mucking around in the code. Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Beyond basic Inclusion of customized metadata to highlight regroup and series information – needed tech support for this Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Universal Access – Next Steps Enhancements to metadata ADA compliance? Title customization Different tiers of access Utilize code customization from Texas Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Another use of Wordpress Access can mean direct access to the digital objects and also access though cataloging. The Commonwealth Historical Collaborative website is a joint initiative between the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Special Collections and University Archives, the MA State Historical Records Advisory Board, and the MA Board of Library Commissioners, supported by the NHPRC. Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
The Goal To Create a Comprehensive Directory of Cultural Heritage Institutions and Collections in Massachusetts Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
At a minimum Each institution receives a directory listing Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Added value Connections back to own digital repository Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Added value Option to create own online catalog Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Added value Option to create own online catalog Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Added value Option to create own online catalog Our Common Wealth: Discoverability and Access August 5, 2016
Thank you Veronica Martzahl Digital Records Archivist Massachusetts Archives veronica.martzahl@sec.state.ma.us