RIAMCORhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

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What is the Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online (RIAMCO)?

• RIAMCO is a statewide consortium that provides enhanced access to archival and manuscript materials through a union database of Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids.

• The union database will include finding aids for at least 336 archives and manuscripts collections (4,110 linear feet) in 10 different repositories.

RIAMCO Members

• The consortium brings together public, private, and academic repositories:

Brown University Rhode Island State Archives John Carter Brown Library Roger Williams University Providence College Salve Regina University Rhode Island Historical Society University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design Westerly Public Library

Project Goals

• Improve access to archival and manuscript collections throughout Rhode Island.

• Standardize descriptive practices across repositories using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS).

• Train archivists and special collection librarians in the implementation of Encoded Archival Description (EAD).

What is Encoded Archival Description (EAD)?

• Internationally accepted archival standard

• Encodes finding aids for use online

• Regulates collection information within and across repositories

• Reflects the hierarchical nature of archival collections

• Provides structure (via XML) for describing the whole collection and its components

Some research topics from RIAMCO finding aids:

• Agriculture• Architecture• Art• Business • Education• Government, Politics and Law• Health and Medicine• Immigration• Language and Literature

• Maritime• Military• Performing Arts• Race, Ethnicity and Gender• Religion• Rhode Island/Local Interest• Science and Technology• Social Life and Customs• and more…

RIAMCO Historical Timeline

2004 March New England Archivists session: EAD: A Conversation on Cooperation, Holy Cross College

2004 October New England EAD Collaboration Meeting, NELINET

2006 March Envisioning a Rhode Island EAD Finding Aid Collaboration, Brown University

2006 June Applied for LORI grant (LSTA)

2007 July Applied for National Endowment for the Humanities Preservation and Access grant

2008 May RIAMCO awarded 2-year grant

RIAMCO Sustainability

• Grants

• Executive Committee guidance

• Brown will continue to provide the technical infrastructure

• Members will assist in providing training to new members

• Build on Rhode Island Historical Records Grant Program that trained repositories how to create finding aids

Exploring the RIAMCO Website

Search Capabilities

Home• Keyword

Browse• Repository• Subject

Advanced Search• Keyword• Subject• Creator• Collection number• Language• Repository• Date

• Inventory

RIAMCO Finding Aid

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

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