"Historical African-American Autographs" is one of seven online exhibits created by the Kansas City Public Library. This site, unfortunately, is an example of what not to do when publishing a digital collection.
Collection Characteristics (Selection Decisions)
The collection is introduced with a statement that apparently came from an "unauthorized note" found with the autograph collection explaining that the autographs resulted from a request by the Kansas City Lincoln Branch Head Librarian, Priscilla Burd, in 1937 to prominent African-Americans to be used in a display the same year. The branch was later closed and its collection of "black literature, black history, pamphlets on black studies, and clippings files of local black history" became the bulk of materials comprising the Ramos Collection at KC's Main Library. This introduction gives a brief provenance of the collection, presumably to authenticate the autographs, which can often prove to be forgeries. Twenty-eight names are listed to the right of this introduction (on a cranberry background, making them difficult to read) and include such notables as Langston Hughes, W.E.B. DuBois, and Mary McLeod Bethune.
Collection Characteristics (Selection Decisions)
The collection is introduced with a statement that apparently came from an "unauthorized note" found with the autograph collection explaining that the autographs resulted from a request by the Kansas City Lincoln Branch Head Librarian, Priscilla Burd, in 1937 to prominent African-Americans to be used in a display the same year. The branch was later closed and its collection of "black literature, black history, pamphlets on black studies, and clippings files of local black history" became the bulk of materials comprising the Ramos Collection at KC's Main Library. This introduction gives a brief provenance of the collection, presumably to authenticate the autographs, which can often prove to be forgeries. Twenty-eight names are listed to the right of this introduction (on a cranberry background, making them difficult to read) and include such notables as Langston Hughes, W.E.B. DuBois, and Mary McLeod Bethune.
Object Characteristics
The design of this Web site is problematic for many reasons. One, there is no information supplied about the digitization project, the type of equipment used, the criteria used for selection decisions, etc. Two, there is no administrative, technical, or descriptive metadata provided for the images. Three, the haphazzard manner in which the digital objects are displayed. All of these issues contribute to a lack of context for the digital items leading to questions about the items' authenticity and reliability. An example: clicking on Mary McLeod Bethune sends you to a page with minimal information: a one-word description of the individual and the birth and death dates. Following that is a magnified image of the actual autograph and an image of the autograph source, typically a letter. One is unable to click on the autograph for a greater enlargement. Clicking on the autograph source provides an enlarged image of the letter. In most cases, the letter can be magnified, but only to one additional degree. In Bethune's case the body of the letter is cut out, leaving only the letterhead and the bottom of the letter with the signature. This is, to say the least, bad practice. If the entire letter wasn't able to be published on the Web due to privacy issues, then it seems that perhaps the item shouldn't have been included or the entire letter should have been published, but with the sensitive elements blacked-out. Associated links, biographies and photos, are provided, but they often do not work. There is also a link to relevant library materials about or by the individual.
Metadata
There is none! Though this is intended to be a currated exhibit, some minimal descriptive metadata should be included at the very least.
Audience
Kansas City citizens, school children, anyone
No comments:
Post a Comment