Simplified Management of Complex Digital Archive and Web Presentation Projects

The Allen Memorial Art Museum (AMAM) at Oberlin College is using digital technology to enhance its educational mission: digital archiving and web publishing are being used to vastly increase and enhance the availability of our educational resources. By pursuing the dual goals of presentation and preservation, we are creating a system that will allow unprecedented access to thousands of significant works of art while simultaneously vastly reducing the need for handling and exposure to light of valued, delicate objects. The AMAM, as an academic art museum, recognizes the increasing importance of digital technology for educational and teaching purposes. Demand for access to our collection is increasing, while at the same time staff resources and exhibition space are limited. and concern about collection care is growing; alternative methods are needed to provide access to the muscum's collection. The AMAM is building on past accomplishments to explore and use new ideas and information technologies in the service of education and teaching.