1. Actual content in a virtual world Simon Wilson Mersey Gateway Project Manager tel: 0151 233 5819 email: simon.wilson@liverpool.gov.uk www.mersey-gateway.org

2. what is digitisation? The process of creating a binary representation of an object (eg photo, book or manuscript etc) which can then be - manipulated - stored - transmitted - displayed

3. why digitise? because we can? to enhance access –(eg 1901 census) conservation/preservation –(eg Beowolf @ British Library) to increase awareness & use –(eg Mersey Gateway) adding value –searching –create a virtual collection

4. how to digitise? in-house or outsource? –scope and range of material to be digitised flatbed scanner or overhead camera –existing skills and experience –IT support –timescales –budget

5. a showcase of material held in libraries, archives and museums across the region relating to Liverpool and Merseyside The project would not have been possible without the support of our partners: Halton Borough Council; Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley; Metropolitan Borough of St Helens; Metropolitan Borough of Sefton; Warrington Borough Council; Metropolitan Borough of Wirral; Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service; Lancashire Record Office; National Museums Liverpool; University of Liverpool; North West Sound Archive, Salt Museum Northwich and the Catalyst Museum. www.mersey-gateway.org

6. the story of the port, the city and the region is told through hundreds of stories and thousands of images looking at specific people, places, buildings and events

7. the ideal scenario... –someone with a basic interest in a subject reads a story or looks at a few of the images –after 5 minutes says “I didn’t know that ….” informal learning, likely to tell others about the site and pass the knowledge on –lifelong learners not academics/professionals

8. encouraging access & use as a starting point –further reading and web links –partner library/archive/museum references given »encourage users to view the original items –general guides to using a range of resources maps, street directories, newspapers etc

9. list of themes & topics on the site search and browse the site guides to using archives links to stories - changes each time you visit the site

10. stories the site features hundreds of stories with links to find out more about a particular place, person, building, vessel or event wherever possible a story will include links to related stories or galleries

11. how has it been built... managed via a Content Management System stories & images On This Day multiple-choice quizzes feedback forms link library gallery feature

12. how has it been built... Metadata ‘data about data’ Dublin Core at the heart of the CMS simply select from an editable list of terms much of it is done as part of the batch upload process

13. search & browse - free-text - by historical period [e.g. 19th Century] - by areas of interest [ships & shipping] - by type of person [engineers] - by collection type [prints & drawings] - by location (of the item) [Central Library] or a combination of all of the above

14. one search - finds all (hopefully) stories individual images image galleries archive collections quizzes

15. zoom tool - allows you to explore an image in more detail avoid using ‘pop-up’ boxes - accessibility

16. not just the ‘treasures’ GOOD PEOPLE, BAD IDEAS AND THE UGLY CLUB

17. Liverpool Overhead Railway

18. impact... site launched in Sept 2003 as part of Archives Awareness month since then thousands more images have been added website usage (since Sept 2003) –more than 28,000 ‘visits’ –450,000 ‘page views’ –2m ‘hits’ impact on partners?