northwest digital archives (nwda) jodi allison-bunnell nwda program manager
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Northwest Digital Archives (NWDA) Jodi Allison-Bunnell NWDA Program Manager. What is NWDA?. Regional consortium: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska Provides enhanced access to archival and manuscript materials - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Northwest Digital Archives (NWDA)
Jodi Allison-Bunnell
NWDA Program Manager
• Regional consortium: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska
• Provides enhanced access to archival and manuscript materials
• Union database of Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids and associated digital content.
• Brings together academic (public and private), state, historical societies, and municipal archives.
What is NWDA?
• Arts & Humanities• Business, Industry & Labor• City & Town Life• Colleges & Universities• Environment & Natural Resources• Ethnic and Religious Groups• Government & Politics• Home & Family• Native Americans• Pioneers• Sexuality• …and more!
Some Research TopicsSome Research TopicsFrom NWDA Finding AidsFrom NWDA Finding Aids
• Why archives and special collections matter• Broad research audience• Unique collections
• MARC records vs. finding aids• MARC records: format integration• Finding aids: MARC record plus
Making a Difference for Researchers
• Members can do accomplish what they can’t do alone• Technical• Training• Administrative
• Electronic search increases details available• Collection exposure
• Cross-searchCross-search• Google exposureGoogle exposure
What NWDA Makes Possible
• Funded by:– National Endowment for the Humanities (OSU)– National Historical Publications and Records
Commission (Whitworth College)
• 19 institutions
Phase II grant, 2005-2007
• Membership growthMembership growth• Training program developedTraining program developed• Growth of databaseGrowth of database• SustainabilitySustainability• Usability testingUsability testing• Website/search interface/technicalWebsite/search interface/technical• DisseminationDissemination
Grant Activities
• July 2005: 2535 finding aidsJuly 2005: 2535 finding aids• July 2007: 4528 finding aidsJuly 2007: 4528 finding aids• Goal for Phase II: 4279 finding aidsGoal for Phase II: 4279 finding aids
Growth of Database
• Long-term planning with Advisory BoardLong-term planning with Advisory Board• Becoming a program of the AllianceBecoming a program of the Alliance• Membership feesMembership fees• Strong communications with other regionals, Strong communications with other regionals,
RLG/OCLCRLG/OCLC– Future of online finding aidsFuture of online finding aids– Data harvest/exchangeData harvest/exchange– Interchange of finding aids, digital contentInterchange of finding aids, digital content
Sustainability
• Three rounds of testingThree rounds of testing
• Start with Nielsen’s principlesStart with Nielsen’s principles
• Section 508 on accessibilitySection 508 on accessibility
• Script preparation, in-person, full Script preparation, in-person, full transcriptstranscripts
Usability Testing
Usability Testing Results• Real feedback from two major research
populations
• Helping site become more user-focused
• Major positive impact
Website/Search Interface/Technical• Making site more user-focused• Improving search capabilities
– Responding to UT feedback
• Google exposure• Stylesheet presentation• Digital content
Directions for FY08• Establish Committee, Steering Team
• New cost distribution model for FY09+
• Investigate new tools
• Digital future
• Continue state, regional, national conversations