Archivists’ Toolkit: Holding the Tools to Run Your Archives Melinda McMartin Isler Michigan Archival Association Annual Meeting, June 2008
Why Create the AT? support archival processing production of access instruments promote data standardization promote efficiency lower training costs.
Key Features Open source solution Implementable as a stand-alone or networked application using either a MySQL, MS SQL Server, or Oracle database backend Record accession, description, and location information for archival resources, including digital versions Authority control for names and subjects Import legacy data in EAD, MARCXML, and for accessions, tab delimited or XML, with data clean up tools Export EAD 2002, MARCXML, METS (MODS / DC), and 30 different administrative and descriptive default reports, such as acquisition statistics, accession records, shelf lists, subject guides, etc. Customizable interface with in-screen help information.
AT User Community Application uptake: Version 1.0, released Dec. 17, 2006: 2520 unique downloads, 1722 registered users Version 1.1, released Jan. 16, 2008: 1276 unique downloads, 754 registered users Version 1.5, released November 2008: total downloads 2433 Registered users 1500 ATUG-l (Archivists’ Toolkit User Group) Over 800 members Subscribe: Archives:
Support Services Software Issues / Bug Management Issue list: User Assistance (FAQ, ATUG list and Workshops and Onsite Training User Surveys
AT Project: Staff address: AT Sandboxes: Archivists’ Toolkit User Group: Subscription: Archives:
Accessions: From this….
To This
And this…
And this (this one customizable!)
Finding Aids and Description at the FSU Archives Creation of a word based finding aid Creation of an online finding aid Creation of a marc record for library opac
Using the Resources Module-
Easy data entry
Heart of the finding aid
Administrative info
Simplifying an archivists life
The dreaded authority control- subjects
Names- 2 Kinds Names used as a contact point for donations/transfers Names of collection creators/individuals identified within collections as subjects
Personal Names/Corporate Names
Finding things- locations
Decentralizing benefits of AT Archival Associate (A) Accessions correspondence (A)Review for previous donations (N) Customize names for addresses and Ferris connection (A) search unprocessed records Student Workers (R)Enter finding aids Update locations (A)Locate donors for finding aid (A) Search unprocessed records
Training Tips for non- archivists Use screenshots! Practice (good for backlogs and initial setup) Provide the proper context!
Melinda McMartin Isler (231) Oak Street Alumni 101 Big Rapids MI Thanks!