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
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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
