The exhibits pilot innovation grant project was a partnership of three departments, Digital Content Services (formerly SRI), Rare Books and Manuscripts, and the Web Implementation Team (now Applications, Development and Support). The Preservation and Reformatting Department (Amy McCrory) and the Copyright Resources Center (Sandra Enimil) were also heavily involved. The grant was "to develop a new model for creating and delivering digital exhibits at the Libraries." The project was developmental in scope, and the specific goals were to create a polished digital version of a physical exhibit, and to gather information about what would be required to develop an exhibits program in the Libraries.
The King James Bible exhibit, curated by Eric Johnson, is indeed a polished exhibit. We learned a great deal from working on it, such as the need to create a glossary of terms as reference for all people on the project. We also identified the strengths and weaknesses of the Omeka software for our environment. The research into what it would take to build a sustainable program took many forms. We looked at existing digital exhibits at OSUL, as well as curator expectations for exhibit functionality, and the use of Omeka at other institutions. We tracked information on the time it took to create the exhibit.
What's next? The report is done and has been given to the Executive Committee. The suggestions in the report are just that - suggestions. We were not charged to develop a program. We applied for funding to explore the possibilities; the report is what we discovered. It is also worth noting that the environment has changed since the report was written. Most important, is that the Libraries have hired an Exhibits Coordinator. However, many of you have expressed interest in our results. The report is posted on the Digital Exhibits Subcommittee web site (docx). Happy reading! ...and, of course, we welcome your comments. -thc
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