Digital Collections Portal

Digital preservation extends beyond merely imaging and organizing your materials; its ultimate purpose is to ensure your end-users have meaningful access to those materials. To achieve this, a thoughtfully developed public digital portal is indispensable.

When creating a public digital collections portal, it is vital to transcend the outdated practice of simply replicating finding aids and labeling it "access." Modern users expect a dynamic, intuitive experience tailored to their digital habits. Your digital strategy, meticulously developed with your user in mind, must carefully consider how all your efforts translate into an engaging digital experience. It is not a straightforward "copy/paste" scenario. You need to carefully select the tools that will bring your accessible digital preservation strategy to life.

Engage in an honest reflection: Is your current digital collections portal merely a list or a basic catalog of items with images and rudimentary search? Or are you delivering a quality experience that truly fosters accessibility, diversifies your audience, and cultivates membership? The latter will drive true engagement; the former will only serve a narrow segment of your existing audience.