Collections as Objects

Owned by Annamarie Klose
Last updated: Dec 06, 2023
2 min read

Currently, Digital Collections (DC) groups records by unit and stores them in administrative sets. Collections and sub-collections only exist as metadata. This limits the ability to provide context about the collections that the records belong to, provide permanent links to collections, and affects search and browse capabilities.

DC is built on Samvera Hyrax which provides rich options for creating collections as objects with collection-level metadata. In addition, collections as objects would provide links to share with patrons for an entire collection and it is possible to provide a hierarchical organization of content, e.g. finding aid series as sub-collection. That would be similar to the options in Knowledge Bank with collections. For more information, see the Collections and Admin Sets section of the Samvera Hyrax Knowledge Base.

Below is the options for collection-level metadata for collections as objects.

 

Required, repeatable fields:

  • Title

  • Summary or Abstract Description - changed in upgraded version of Hyrax

 

Optional, repeatable fields:

  • Creator

  • Contributor

  • Keyword

  • License - Do not use - Rights information requires consultation with Copyright Services.

  • Publisher

  • Date Created

  • Subject

  • Language

  • Identifier

  • Location (foaf:based_near) - In the work-level metadata, the label is Repository. We may use as a replacement for the “Unit” facet with Admin Sets. Decision in pending.

  • Related URL - This field is recommended if you want to provide a link to a collection’s finding aid in the Special Collections Registry.

 

Required?, single value:

  • Resource type - CV is DCMI Type Terms - Collection would be most appropriate

 

Aesthetic options:

  • Assign a thumbnail to the collection by linking to a DC record with an image.

  • Add a banner image (JPG, GIF, or PNG) that is at least 120 pixels tall and 1200 pixels wide.

  • Add a logo image (JPG, GIF, or PNG) that is 40 pixels in height. Images larger than 40 pixels will be resized down.

 

Discovery options:*

  • Public

  • Institution

  • Private

*If a collection is set to Institution or Private, it will become visible to the public if the records within it are publicly accessible.

The Ohio State University

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