Computerization of the Archivo General de Indias: Strategies and Results by Pedro González September 1998

Contents

FOREWORD

AUTHOR'S ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

Lessons of a Ten-Year Experience
Range of Achievements
Project Origin
Project Characteristics
Project Challenges
Importance of Results for Conservation and Access
The Archivo General de Indias and the “Global Village”

BACKGROUND

Founding
Documentary Holdings
Organization of Holdings
Finding Aids
The AGI Building
Consultation of Holdings
Restoration Laboratory
Microfilm Service

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Stage I: Objectives 1986-1992
Stage II: Objectives 1993-present

GENERAL SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

Fundamental System Modules
General Architecture

INFORMATION AND REFERENCE SUBSYSTEM

Description at the AGI
Finding Aids
Objectives for the Information and Reference System
Outline of Information and Reference System
Data Access by the “Principle of Provenance Path”
Direct Information Access
AGI Indices
Keywords
Elements of Description
Basic Information Area
Descriptive Information Area
Elements of Location, Retrieval, or Access
Initial Content: Retrospective Conversion of Finding Aids
The Information and Reference System Today
Direct and Indirect Access to Archival Information
Information Retrieval Tools
Standardization
Revision and Updating of Information System Content

DIGITAL IMAGE STORAGE SYSTEM

Digitization Process
Selection of Documents to be Digitized
Document Preparation
Digitization
Image Quality
Color Images
Storage Medium
Formats and Image Compression
Quality Control
Image Consultation
Disk Service
Image Consultation

TECHNICAL ASPECTS

Initial Computer Equipment
Current Equipment
Other Current Equipment Possibilities

NEW PROSPECTS: LONG-DISTANCE ACCESS

Technical Problems
Security Problems
Problems of Intellectual Property and Document Ownership
Management Problems

CONCLUSIONS

Multidirectional Progress
Project Costs
Project Results
Conservation Benefits
Access Benefits
Benefits for Internal Operations
Final Observations

GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX I: Analysis of Conservation Results

APPENDIX II: Analysis of Consultation Results

APPENDIX III: “Supplemental” Digitization of Documents from Other Archives: Analysis of Results

APPENDIX IV: Figures for Costs and Production

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