Dear Ashley,

 

There was a recent discussion on this list that included a good explanation
of the value of EAD and XML for improving delivery of finding aids and
searchability that will get web-based researchers to what they are seeking
more efficiently and make our collections accessible to more people.

 

I have implemented and used PastPerfect with an organization that has museum
objects, a circulating library, rare books, archives, manuscript and
photograph collections. PastPerfect has worked reasonably well for them, but
its Web interface to search the database leaves something to be desired. It
is possible to translate the information from the PastPerfect database into
other formats, either hiring the company to do it or doing it yourself. I
don't know where they are with EAD conversion, but I don't see why it
couldn't be done. This translation could allow a museum to contribute
records to one of the many regional consortia providing EAD-based access to
finding aids and digital objects.

 

I am associated with the Northwest Digital Archives Project, which is a
consortium of archives, historical societies, etc., in Washington, Oregon,
Idaho, and Montana. Currently, a contractor is translating information from
several databases into EAD for the consortium. See the NWDA website at
http://nwda.wsulibs.wsu.edu

 

EAD provides you with flexibility in using your information over the long
term, and I consider it a useful tool to add to your repertoire. I don't
know off-hand of any on-line courses, but perhaps others on this list can
provide you with that information as you investigate EAD. Best wishes.

 

Sharon M. Howe, Processing Archivist

Washington State Archives Central Branch

Bledsoe-Washington Building

400 E. University Way MS7547

Ellensburg, WA 98926-7547

Phone: 509-963-2136

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

 

 

 


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