rcahms digital archive
DESCRIPTION
Presentation given by Sharon McMeekin, Digital Archivist at the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The presentation was given at the 'Managing Archaeology Data' event on Monday 7th March 2011at the University of Glasgow.TRANSCRIPT
Developing a Digital Archive at RCAHMS
Sharon McMeekinDigital Archivist, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
Digital Archives and RCAHMS• Brief introduction to RCAHMS’ Collections• Developing a Digital Archive
– First iteration of development– Motivations for change– Recent work– What’s next?
• Other relevant projects at RCAHMS
• RCAHMS:– Identifies, surveys and analyses the historic and built
environment of Scotland– Preserves, cares for and adds to the information and
items in the national collection– Promotes understanding, education and enjoyment
through interpretation of the information it collects and the items it looks after
• Archive collections roughly split into:– Outputs of RCAHMS’ own survey work– Archives from external depositors
RCAHMS
Buildings Survey
Archaeological Survey
Thematic Survey
Aerial Survey
Architects’ Drawings
Archaeological Archives
Photographic Collections
RCAHMS’ Database
Development of the First Digital Archive
• First received digital data in 1992• Report produced in partnership with ADS• Contract to develop systems in 2003• Limited standards and tools available• Systems:
– Area in database to record metadata– Dedicated storage area– Batch processing for digital images
• No preservation or dissemination systems
Motivations for a Redevelopment • Exponential growth of digital deposits
– Systems no longer fit for purpose– c. 500,000 digital objects in the archive
• Emergence of new standards and tools– Not meeting minimum standards for
curation
• A more strategic approach to management and development required– Limited resources could be better utilised
• New and more complex data types
New Survey Methods, New File Types
GPS Survey: Mingulay
Digital Archive: Archaeology
© Headland Archaeology Ltd
Digital Archive: Architecture
© RMJM
Digital Archive: Laser Scanning
© Historic Scotland
Developing a Plan of Action• Questions considered:
– What was our ultimate goal?– How could we secure buy-in from stakeholders?– How to identify useful standards and tools?
• Needed to breakdown the problem into more easily manageable issues– Information gathering– Establish digital curation as a core organisational
objective– Open a dialogue with depositors– Gap analysis using OAIS
OAIS• Open Archival Information System
–ISO 14721:2003• Developed by Consultative
Committee for Space Data Systems• Sets out high level requirements for
digital repositories
An OAIS Must:• Negotiate for and accept information• Obtain sufficient control for preservation
purposes• Determine the Designated Consumer
Community• Ensure information is independently
understandable• Make the information available• Follow established preservation policies
and procedures
Comparison to OAIS
OAIS Functional Model
Gap Analysis: Ingest and Dissemination
Where We Are Now• Trying to learn as much as possible
– Workshops and training– Visits/discussions with peers
• TDR Programme established– Included as an aim in ‘Future RCAHMS’ document– Digital Archive Policy
• Tentative discussions with depositors• Initial gap analysis completed
– Indentified stress points– A modular approach to development would be
required– Ingest systems and procedures a priority
What Next for RCAHMS?• Investigate opportunities to develop
systems in partnership with RCAHMW• Carry-out a full data audit• Upgrade network and storage systems• Work on laser scanning data with HS and
other partners• Incorporate developments from other
RCAHMS projects
Collections Enhancement• Redevelopment of cataloguing and
collections management systems• Implementing ISAD(G)• Direct access to catalogue records• More contextual information for users• Dissemination of additional digital object
types through Canmore
SURE• Specialist User Recording Environment• Allows trusted users to add data directly
into RCAHMS database• Pilot project carried out with NTS
– Didn’t have a Trust-wide sites and monuments record
– Same interface as RCAHMS staff– Can enter information on sites, events,
people and bibliographic references
• Access likely to be expanded in future
SRP• Scotland’s Rural Past• Working with volunteer groups to
research, record and interpret historic rural settlements and landscapes– Groups produced digital images, drawings
and reports– Uploaded via SRP website to RCAHMS
database and digital archive
• To be continued and expanded as part of new projects
The EndWebsite:
http://www.rcahms.gov.uk
Canmore:http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/
General Enquiries:[email protected]
Depositing Archives:[email protected]