Creating Collection Level Descriptions in the Crossroads Project

CD Focus Workshop 28 February 2002

The Crossroads Project

• Development of cross-domain database for the library, archive and museum collections of the West Midlands

• Funded by Re:source (Cross-Domain Fund)

• Principally to improve access• Wide target user group

How will it be done?

Development of a database model• Creating the right specification• Appointment of a database developer

Database content• Pilot database focus chosen – pottery

industry of North Staffordshire• Scoping survey used to identify

collection holders• In-depth mapping follow-up to survey

Slipware Collection

Description:Collection of 17th and early 18th Century slipware, including the rare Slipware Owl Jug, discovered by the TV programme The Antiques Roadshow in 1990.Circa. 175 pieces in the collectionDate range: c. 1640 - 1750

Location DetailsPotteries Museum & Art GalleryBethesda Street, HanleyStoke-on-Trent ST1 3DWhttp://www.stoke.gov.uk/museums/pmag

Email: museums@stoke.gov.ukTel: 01782 232323Fax: 01782 23500

Visiting Information: Mon – Sat: 10.00am – 4.00pm Sun: 1.00pm – 4.00pmOpen to the public. Entry is free.

Collection Description Schema

• Based on RSLP CLD Schema

• Interoperable, Accessible, Sustainable

• Little emphasis on collection management issues

• Broadly a more basic structure

Reusability of Collection Descriptions• Organisations currently involved

• Future projects - once created, they will be available for anyone to reuse

• As a management tool

• Reusability of existing collection descriptions?

The Challenges

• Cross-domain/cross-authority project

• Diversity of collection description

packages used

• Unified thesaurus for the database?

• Duplication of effort

In Practice [1]

• Perception of collections differ:– differ between domains (e.g. library)– even between staff in the same institution– underestimation on number of collections

• Unified thesaurus seems a difficult goal• Different standards used across

domains/institutions. (MARC, EAD etc.)

In Practice [2]

• Ownership of CLDs by collection managers/owners

• Concept of a regional gateway to collections can cause problems

• Needs ‘sign-up’ at the highest levels

Current Progress

• Survey - over 60% response rate• In-depth mapping visits• 50+ (and counting!) collections

identified and described• Diverse range of collections located• Database specification about to be

circulated

The Future

• Appointment of database developer

• Database evaluation• Project completion in August 2002• Expansion of the project to include

all subject areas & all of the West Midlands?

For more information:

Heather WilliamsonCrossroads Project Officerheather.williamson@dial.pipex.comTel. 0121 303 3533

www.crossroads-wm.org.uk

www.crossroads-wm.org.uk