CitizenAchives at zooniverse – Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS)

The successful collaboration between easydb and zooniverse in the CitizenArchiveproject enables efficient management and presentation of image material, while at the same time giving citizens the opportunity to research and describe the construction and planning history of the GDR.

CitizenAchives: Exploring the construction and planning history of the GDR together

CitizenArchive

The CitizenArchiveproject is a joint initiative of the Leibniz Institute for Research on Space and Civilization (IRS) and Programmfabrik. It enables interested citizens to research and describe images from personal collections or the estates of protagonists of urban development in the former GDR. The Scientific Collections on the Building and Planning History of the GDR at the Leibniz Institute for Research on Space and Civilization (IRS) possess valuable holdings, but have limited resources for digitizing, cataloging, and making the archive holdings available to the public. The CitizenArchiveproject offers a solution by involving citizens in sharing their knowledge and memories through the images, thereby uncovering inaccessible cultural and historical treasures. The project also enables visitors to delve into the history of everyday life in the former GDR from new perspectives. The shared images do not contain any additional Infoor descriptions, meaning that viewers must evaluate the objects on their own, without any background knowledge of the content shown.

easydb

The CitizenArchiveproject uses easydb as its image database to manage and present an extensive collection of images. However, to also involve external stakeholders in the project and utilize a comprehensive commenting function, zooniverse is also used. Zooniverse's flexible commenting function allows users to share their thoughts, ideas, and interpretations of the images in an interactive and collaborative environment. This contributes to gaining a broader and more diverse perspective on the images and their meaning.

zooniverse

Zooniverse is a platform of Oxford Universitythat primarily conducts projects in the natural sciences, but also includes some humanities projects such as history and art history. A number of well-known projects are already represented on the platform:

1. Galaxy Zoo : In this project, participants can analyze and classify images of galaxies to help astronomers explore and catalog galaxies.
2. Planet Hunters : search for evidence of extrasolar planets through data from NASA satellites . Participants help analyze light curves and identify possible planetary discoveries.
3. Picturing Michigan's Past: This project aims to present Michigan's history through visual representations. The project has already been completed on zooinverse and is currently being evaluated.

Integration of zooniverse to expand the comment function

During the implementation of the CitizenArchiveproject, it was determined that an expanded commenting function was needed to meet the project's requirements. Alternative solutions were sought to enable detailed comments from various citizens and advance the project. The most promising option was zooniverse. An interface to zooniverse was not immediately necessary because it is a browser-based platform. Images are currently uploaded to zooniverse as image sets, and citizen feedback is transferred to easydb via CSV files after unnecessary data has been cleaned up. The Programmfabrik team is working on a plugin to facilitate the transfer to easydb .

Factors for choosing easydb in the CitizenArchiveproject

The fact that easydb was already successfully used as an image database at the IRS supported the decision to use easydb for the CitizenArchiveproject as well. This allowed the project team to rely on a proven software solution that had already proven itself in a similar environment. This enabled the staff to achieve seamless integration and optimal performance for the CitizenArchiveproject.

The reasons for using easydb at the IRS and in the CitizenArchiveproject can be explained by Paul Perschke (project manager) using the following aspects:

1. Versatility in file format support: easydb can handle a wide variety of file formats, not just images. This is particularly important given that the IRS's scientific collection includes a wide variety of formats.
2. Connection to the German Digital Library (DDB): The integration of easydb enables a direct connection to the parent portal of the German Digital Library, making the collection objects accessible to a wider audience.
3. Linking to your own specialist portal and using your own website to present your collection objects: easydb makes it possible to present your collection objects effectively and attractively both in your own specialist portal and on the institute's website.

Adaptations and integration of easydb in the CitizenArchiveproject: training, plugin development and system enhancements

As part of the implementation of the CitizenArchiveproject, the basic version of easydb was successfully deployed. Several adjustments and configurations were made to meet the specific requirements of the project. For example, one goal of the project is to develop additional plugins, such as an AI-supported semantic web plugin for identifying problematic terms and a plugin that enables data exchange between easydb and the zooniverse platform. The latter is currently under development.

For the introduction and implementation of easydb several training sessions were held, led by a project manager from the Programmfabrik . The participating IRS employees, including a project manager, a project manager, and a student assistant, gained a solid foundation in using easydbthrough these training sessions. Nevertheless, the majority of the required knowledge was acquired through "learning by doing" during the course of the project. Creating metadata models and the flexible permissions assignment in easydb proved to be particularly complex, yet very comprehensive.

The Support provided by Programmfabrik proved to be extremely helpful, especially the ticket system, which allowed employees to receive quick assistance with questions or problems.

Conclusion

The combination of easydb and zooniverse in the CitizenArchiveproject generates a productive synergy that enables both the effective organization and presentation of image content and the integration of citizens in the investigation and description of the construction and planning history of the GDR. easydb, as a versatile and adaptable system, provides a solid foundation for managing various file formats, connecting to the German Digital Library, and linking to the project's own specialist portal. Zooniverse, on the other hand, extends the project with an interactive and collaborative commenting function that allows users to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and interpretations. This collaboration between the two systems contributes to the exploration and discovery of hidden cultural and historical resources and provides in-depth insight into everyday life in the former GDR from various perspectives.

Although the project cannot be extended with current funding, future developments and expansions are planned. This includes the continued use of easydb in conjunction with zooniverse, the development of new plugins, and the implementation of the new online portal for the ISF's scientific collections (starting in fall 2023). Continuing civic engagement in the project remains a central concern.

Email contacts for communication and additional Info

Dr. Rita Gudermann | Project Manager of the CitizenArchiveProject

Paul Perschke | Project manager of the CitizenArchiveproject

Sebastian Klarmann | Commercial Managing Director Programmfabrik

Links to the CitizenArchiveproject

Infoabout the CitizenArchiveproject on the IRS website

zooniverse access for public participation in the CitizenArchiveproject