Let Me See: Digital Exhibits

Developments in digitizing all kinds of archival materials has allowed archivists and archival institutions to make their collections and holdings more widely available for use at a distance. One of the more interesting and exiting ways that the distance can be covered is through digital exhibits. Digital exhibits are an online presentation of archival materials in a similar format to a physical exhibition, usually highlighting a specific theme or collection. Creation of digital exhibits allows for the presentation of materials in an easy to access and longer lasting format than most physical exhibits are able to provide. As such, it is important for archivists and archival institutions to consider the potential benefits of digital exhibits as a form of online outreach.

When considering the potential of digital exhibits, ‘where does it go?’ is one of the foremost questions. The answer to that question is highly dependent on budgets and user expectations. If the archival institution already has a personalized website in which they have experienced high levels of traffic and usership, it might be in their best interest to display a digital exhibit on the website. This may mean that they have digital exhibits that are never taken down or rotating exhibits. Either way it is important that they are monitored and updated regularly for any potential behind-the-scenes issues that could affect users. On the other hand, smaller institutions may not have the necessary traffic or budget allowances for digital exhibits hosted on their own platform. A good alternative in such a case might be social media. As I have previously discussed in Like, Reblog, Favorite: Social Media Marketing, the impact of social media can positively influence usership of archival institutions. Exhibits hosted through existing social media platforms allow for slightly more peace of mind as it is not on institution employees to maintain the servers and websites, so less updating may be necessary.

There are a number of reasons to consider crafting a digital exhibit, but the outcome is universal: more access! Technology has in many ways allowed for the furthering of archival access, and outreach has not been left behind on this account. Users of all kinds are able to tune into the various themes and collections that can be found within an archival institution through digital exhibits.

Further Reading:

https://www.archives.gov/exhibits

https://archivesaware.archivists.org/2018/04/18/the-great-society-congress-a-collaborative-approach-to-digital-exhibits-and-outreach/