Monday April 2, 2001

3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m

• Gregory P.J. Most, Chief Slide Librarian, National Gallery of Art

Sponsors:

• Visual Resources Division; Cataloging Section

Abstract:

Encoded Archival Description (EAD) is an exciting new development in the information world that allows internet-searchable finding aids for libraries, museums, and archives to be mounted on institutional web sites. This protocol was initially developed by the archives community in association with the Library of Congress and a number of research institutions. EAD was once considered a high tech feature for collection description but is increasingly becoming the new standard of access to various types of collections. Amidst the praises for EAD from its admirers many questions are voiced by interested institutions. In a climate of tight budgets and scarce resources for libraries and archives, is the high cost of EAD implementation for every institution? This session will examine EAD from three perspectives.

EAD Project Funding and Implementation: A View from the (almost) Bleeding Edge, Allen K. Townsend, Arcadia Director of the Library, Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Encoded Archival Description Projects present unique technological challenges for any institution.  In the context of an art museum with limited staffing, technical resources and information systems support, they can be particularly problematic.  Mr. Townsend will discuss the evolution of the Mellon Museum Archives Initiative at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, focusing on EAD funding and project implementation issues in an art museum environment. 

Anne Gilliland-Swetland will place EAD in an historical context and will discuss the process and ramifications of initiating this technology in a library environment using the Online Archives of California as an example. Allen Townsend will examine the process he went through to begin his newly funded project fom budgeting funds and staff to identifying significant collection areas that would benefit from wider access. Karen Weiss will examine the implementation of EAD at the Archives of American Art and the pros and cons of the format. Richard Rinehart will discuss the use of EAD in describing art collections and visual images. Dr. Gililand-Swetland will respond to the presentations.