the application of web 2.0 technology in digital archival repositories:view from regional centre for...
DESCRIPTION
The future of archives and archives of the future may depend on the actions pursuit by archivists to bring archival representation system up to date to reflect the dynamic and multi-faceted digital reality. New technologies have changed the traditional archival system and digitized and born digital repositories have grown in rapidly, raising the interest of archival methods of organizing digital repositories. In this electronic era, computer hard drive has taken the place of file cabinet and more and more records have been created and stored digitally, reflecting the image of archives of the future. Archives of the future organize records in different way and will not support physical files. The simple definition of archive is the place where old things live. The archive is a place constituted of memories and yet, paradoxically it is also constitution of memory. Without archives, we cannot record memories; they have to be mediated through archives before they can be recalled. Our power of recall is contingent on how well we have classified and preserved the past in our archives (Narayan, 2013). Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) is an independent non-governmental, non-profit making organization centrally located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Set up in 1993, RCSS is engaged in activities ranging from collaborative research, dialogue and networking, interacting with similar organizations on key regional and international issues relating to security, stability, conflict resolution, confidence building and regional cooperation and provides services of a Library with a wide selection of books and modern facilities for access of information. RCSS library maintains extensive collection of electronic repository (e-repository) on South Asian Security Studies. The library of RCSS has created a blog (http://kamani- strategicstudies.blogspot.com/) on Strategic Studies and a Digital Reference Library Portal on South Asian Strategic Studies and International Relations (http://rcss.asia/) to provide effective information services regionally and globally. Based on the author’s experience, this paper briefly reviews literature to demonstrate the importance of blogs in libraries and web 2.0 applications in archives.TRANSCRIPT
The Application of Web 2.0 Technology in Digital Archival Repositories
View from Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS)
Kamani PereraLibrarian, Regional Centre for Strategic Studies,
Outline
• Introduction • Web 2.0 and Archives• Archive and Archivist• The Role of Archives• Digital Archiving – Benefits• The Purpose of Archives• Conclusion
Introduction
• What is archive?– the place where old things live– the place constituted of
memories– record memories
• What matters depend on the future of archives and archives of the future?- actions pursuit by archivists - archival representation system- dynamic and multi-faceted
digital reality
Web 2.0 and Archives
• Social Media Tools– Not new– Available everywhere– Empower and enable
conversations digitally– Speak at people– Speak with people– Give people something more– Natural evolution of the web– Focus on users– Active participation
RCSS Blog on Strategic Studieshttp://kamani-strategicstudies.blogspot.com
RCSS Blog Statistics 2011 – 2013(As at 03 December 2013)
Country Page Views
United States 26,643
Russia 8300
United Kingdom 6579
India 4845
Germany 4399
Sri Lanka 3820
Ukraine 2530
France 2347
Netherlands 1870
Spain 1798
Total 95,835
RCSS Digital Reference Library Portal on South Asian Strategic Studies and International Relations (http://rcss.asia/)
Archive and Archivist• Archive– Making records
accessible
• Archivists– Custodian of the
archive– Keepers of old things– Make other people’s
work possible– Unknown people
Smithsonian Institution Archives On-site Collection Storage, Capital Gallery, 2009, by Jennifer Wright.
The Role of Archives
• Produce community engagement
• Archival digitization– Connect records– Create a holistic
representation • Support research
Future of ArchivesArchives of the Future– Virtual– Digitized– Born digital– Cloud archives
Archives of the Future
Future of Archives
Cloud archives
Digital Archiving – Benefits
• Archive the traditional knowledge• Keep material for present and future use• Avoid duplication• Protect rare material• Preserve cultural heritage and history• Reduce cost • Reduce deterioration• Worldwide access at any time, any device• Maintains historical value• No physical space required
The Purpose of ArchivesWhy?
•Courts use them to verify and protect the rights of individuals and groups •Police use them to review and re-open old criminal cases•Lawyers use them to settle old land claims and defend the government•Public servants and journalists study the records to learn how previous governments dealt with similar problems in the past. •Medical researchers use them to study the progress and treatment of diseases.
The Purpose of Archives contd.• Environmental researchers track climate
change and pollution through historical data. • The public uses the records to verify and secure
pensions and other entitlements. • Families trace their history through birth,
death, marriage and land-ownership records. • Historians, authors and filmmakers access
them as authentic sources of information about the past.
• Communities use the archival records to identify and protect other valuable heritage resources such as local historical buildings (Wilson, 2004).
Conclusion
• Archives of the future - easy to remember with new technologies
• Web 2.0 technologies are currently being implemented by over 80% archives (Thorman, 2012)
Thank YouDepartment of National Archives, Sri Lanka