GBV network headquarters: kuniweb

kuniweb – for digital collections

Inventory and management of collection objects in conjunction with easydb

"With kuniweb, we've found a great solution not only for managing our exhibits and all digital formats anytime and anywhere, but also for accessing other databases in a modern way via interfaces. I'm thrilled with the clarity and flexibility that easydb offers. The software has made a significant contribution to improving cooperation between museums and collections."

Dr. Sebastian Möllers MA MuseumDirector Stade Museums

Digitization project of the GBV network headquarters

The Joint Library Network (GBV) is the largest of the six library networks in Germany. The GBV's central office (VZG) is located in Göttingen. The core tasks of the VZG include the provision of the Joint Union Catalog (GVK), the operation of the technical infrastructure for joint cataloging, and the provision of materials for research and teaching.

In the course of establishing the German Digital Library (DDB), which dates back to a decision by the federal government in 2009, the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK) initiated extensive digitization and inventory projects. In this context, the VZG was commissioned to provide the technical infrastructure for the state portal "Cultural Heritage of Lower Saxony" and, with kuniweb, provides a central web-based catalog for museum collections.

The challenge of a comprehensive central solution

The kuniweb project started on 1.12.2012 with six museums (Oberharzermuseum Clausthal-Zellerfeld,museum Obernfeld, Keramik.um Fredelsloh, Königshütte Bad Lauterberg,

The association currently has over 30 participating institutions (e.g., Museum Schloss Herzberg,museum Einbeck). These include small private collections as well as large institutional institutions.

The technical requirements for software for a joint network solution were correspondingly high. The greatest challenges included the heterogeneous requirements of the participating users, the integration of various existing services, and the consideration of numerous interfaces and various authority data. The project was developed to harmonize the web-based object recording of Museumholdings with growing regional cooperation between preservation institutions. kuniweb was implemented using easydb from Programmfabrik, as its high flexibility and adaptability made it the only possible software for implementing the project.

Web-based, flexible and compatible through easydb

This made it possible to define an input mask for all participating collections and map the data model in a user-friendly manner. The institutions' data records were newly recorded during the digitization process and entered into easydb . Existing data records from some institutions were migrated to easydb . Thanks to rightsmanagement all participating institutions have their own data pool. The museums individually decide on the access and editing rights of the collection staff. The VZG then assigns these rights according to their wishes via easydb rights management .

Another special feature of kuniweb is the integration of numerous authority data standards, which enable easy exchange of data with national portals such as the German Digital Library (DDL) and Europe-wide portals such as Europeana. By connecting existing services, such as the live Search in the GBV union catalog, Infosources are networked and comprehensive research is possible. Conversely, there is also the option of cataloging into the union catalog from easydb . Furthermore, kuniweb has been equipped with the mapping of workflows for Museumdocumentation. These are closely aligned with the SPECTRUM standards for Museummanagementsystems.

With the implementation of kuniweb, a milestone has been set for the collaborative recording, management, and presentation of cultural heritage. The project already represents a representative example of a successful centralized solution. The number of participating collections is constantly growing, and further collections are invited to register.

Infoand access to kuniweb:

http

Case study as PDF