Digitization & Metadata Tools & Interfaces
Paul Swanson, Minitex IT Systems Administrator, at the 2011 Public Library Node meeting.
Below you will find selected links to information about digital content management systems and
digital repository software. The examples listed under the heading "Digital Content Management
Systems" are used primarily by cultural heritage institutions to store, describe, and provide
access to digital collections. The examples listed under the heading "Digital Repository Software"
are primarily used in academic libraries who are involved in building institutional repositories
of their institution's papers, theses, and other born digital works.
Digital Content Management Systems
CONTENTdm
OCLC CONTENTdm is software that handles the storage, management, and delivery of digital
collections across the web. CONTENTdm stores images, newspapers, books, maps, slide libraries,
or audio/video.
Who Uses CONTENTdm?
All types of cultural heritage institutions (archives, special collections, libraries, historical
societies) and digital collaboratives. CONTENTdm can also be used as a digital repository for an
institution's faculty and/or student papers, theses, and other born digital materials.
CONTENTdm Resources and Community
You can find support resources on the CONTENTdm
website. You will need to register as a user to view the "User" section of the website. Once registered,
you can view tutorials, help files, installation guides, and web templates. There are in-person and virtual
CONTENTdm User Group meetings each year. Visit the links below to receive information about regional user
group meetings.
TMS (The Museum System)
Available from Gallery Systems, TMS is a Collection
Management System that captures, manages, and provides access to museum collections.
Who Uses TMS?
Primarily used by the museum community. Here are a few institutions in the Minitex region that use TMS:
PastPerfect
Software used to catalog and manage archives, library collections, historic objects, art objects,
natural history, archaeology, and photograph collections. While the
PastPerfect Basic Program does not include
the ability to attach images, there is an optional feature one can purchase separately.
Who Uses PastPerfect?
Primarily used by historical societies and museums. Visit the
client list for examples of who is
using the software.
Digital Repository Software
DSpace
Originally developed at MIT, DSpace is an open source software
used for building digital repositories. DSpace preserves and provides access to various types of
digital content including text, images, moving images, mpegs, and data sets.
Who Uses DSpace?
Academic, non-profit, and commercial organizations are using DSpace. Visit the
DSpace website to browse
the list of users.
Greenstone
Greenstone is an open source option for building and providing
access to digital library collections. Greenstone is produced by the New Zealand Digital Library Project
at the University of Waikato.
Who Uses Greenstone?
Universities, libraries, and other public service institutions use Greenstone. If you're looking for
specific examples of Greenstone implementations, visit
the Greenstone website.
Fedora Commons Repository Software
Originally developed at Cornell University, Fedora Commons
is another open source software option available for building digital repositories.
Who Uses Fedora Commons Repository Software?
Consortia, museums, university libraries and archives, government agencies, national and public libraries
and archives use Fedora. View the
Fedora Commons
registry for more information.