This week’s readings are addressing the way history is preserved in new media, specifically digital collections. Digital media is now another form of preserving and presenting history. The articles address the challenges and benefits of digital collections and history. There is an apparent argument for the importance of digital collections within archives. As well as understanding the way in which they are presented to users; as this presentation can change or alter initial use intentions. As this has been discussed, during our trips, the articles are concerned with the wave digital media has and will continue to take on in archival work.
Cohen discusses historical records and digital media (the future of preserving the past). He is pro digital collections when it comes to oral histories, as such as those from Pearl Harbor and 9/11. This proves very useful in collection personal memories that would other wise are lost with time. Cohen is more concerned with the quality, rather than quantity of the digital collection. He argues that because of the condition of most of the archival collections, we should be more concerned with digitizing the more recent or current collections.
Brennan and Kelly also discuss the future of historical records. Like Cohen, they discuss the collection of images and oral histories. They mainly focus on the process for creating digital collections. This process involving, collection content, technical issues, attracting visitors/contributors to the website/building user trust, and appropriate healing timing of those most affected (p. 4). They argue the importance of the process and including people/potential users during the process.
Brown discusses the history of multimedia and argues the affects (good and bad) it has had on various projects. His argument is mainly that the results of past digital media projects in archives should be used as examples and progression points to better assess evaluate and use multimedia. He is apparently not for digital media. This has been determined by his involvement in digital collection projects. He deemed that digital media decides what information a user can explore and access. In addition, the way the information is provided determines the outlook of the information, thus limiting users. For example, the arrangement of artifacts and images may adjust the user’s purpose for the information.
History and New media is about history being stored using digital collections. The problems as well as benefits are great and must be considered for each collection. Digital media is about access more than anything, so, as an information professional who is all about intellectually growing through accessing information…I’m all for the increase in knowledge. I think the real collection(s) should continue to be protected at its appropriate house.
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