Moderately different: using Omeka S to build a digital community
VALA2022 E-Poster
Helen Thomas
- Associate University Librarian
- University of Canterbury
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Abstract
This submission focuses on the adoption of Omeka S by the University of Canterbury (UC) Library. The submission will talk about:
- the aim of the project to implement an openly accessible showcase for UC research and teaching outputs, which enables the use by academics and students of cultural heritage content from UC Library’s published collections;
- the approach taken by the project team including the growth of their understanding of the needs of the University and the needs of the Library for a sustainable, realistic and future-proof platform for presenting digitised material;
- the steps taken to identify, procure and implement the appropriate software.
The submission will cover the difficulties experienced such as the wide range of possible systems, the lack of staff experience and changing institutional approaches to software management.
The submission will discuss whether the project achieved its aims of increased real world experience in managing digital content for students, an increase in the use of the Library’s digitised content and an increased opportunity for transdisciplinary research to occur due to the increased visibility of outputs and ease of collaborative work.
Biography
Helen Thomas is Associate University Librarian at the University of Canterbury Library. She has been part of the leadership team since 2015, broadening her portfolio from access & collections to include research. Helen’s work on libraries has often focused on the technical and, through initially managing databases and repositories, she developed a deep-seated interest in how systems and people interact and why sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t. Having been involved in one successful consortium in Wales (WHELF) and moving to another country with another successful consortium (CONZUL) she has also published on library collaboration. She tweets (erratically) at https://twitter.com/helent13.
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