Northwest Digital Archives (NWDA)

Jodi Allison-Bunnell

NWDA Program Manager

• Regional consortium: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska

• Provides enhanced access to archival and manuscript materials

• Union database of Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids and associated digital content.

• Brings together academic (public and private), state, historical societies, and municipal archives.

What is NWDA?

• Arts & Humanities• Business, Industry & Labor• City & Town Life• Colleges & Universities• Environment & Natural Resources• Ethnic and Religious Groups• Government & Politics• Home & Family• Native Americans• Pioneers• Sexuality• …and more!

Some Research TopicsSome Research TopicsFrom NWDA Finding AidsFrom NWDA Finding Aids

• Why archives and special collections matter• Broad research audience• Unique collections

• MARC records vs. finding aids• MARC records: format integration• Finding aids: MARC record plus

Making a Difference for Researchers

• Members can do accomplish what they can’t do alone• Technical• Training• Administrative

• Electronic search increases details available• Collection exposure

• Cross-searchCross-search• Google exposureGoogle exposure

What NWDA Makes Possible

• Funded by:– National Endowment for the Humanities (OSU)– National Historical Publications and Records

Commission (Whitworth College)

• 19 institutions

Phase II grant, 2005-2007

• Membership growthMembership growth• Training program developedTraining program developed• Growth of databaseGrowth of database• SustainabilitySustainability• Usability testingUsability testing• Website/search interface/technicalWebsite/search interface/technical• DisseminationDissemination

Grant Activities

• July 2005: 2535 finding aidsJuly 2005: 2535 finding aids• July 2007: 4528 finding aidsJuly 2007: 4528 finding aids• Goal for Phase II: 4279 finding aidsGoal for Phase II: 4279 finding aids

Growth of Database

• Long-term planning with Advisory BoardLong-term planning with Advisory Board• Becoming a program of the AllianceBecoming a program of the Alliance• Membership feesMembership fees• Strong communications with other regionals, Strong communications with other regionals,

RLG/OCLCRLG/OCLC– Future of online finding aidsFuture of online finding aids– Data harvest/exchangeData harvest/exchange– Interchange of finding aids, digital contentInterchange of finding aids, digital content

Sustainability

• Three rounds of testingThree rounds of testing

• Start with Nielsen’s principlesStart with Nielsen’s principles

• Section 508 on accessibilitySection 508 on accessibility

• Script preparation, in-person, full Script preparation, in-person, full transcriptstranscripts

Usability Testing

Usability Testing Results• Real feedback from two major research

populations

• Helping site become more user-focused

• Major positive impact

Website/Search Interface/Technical• Making site more user-focused• Improving search capabilities

– Responding to UT feedback

• Google exposure• Stylesheet presentation• Digital content

Directions for FY08• Establish Committee, Steering Team

• New cost distribution model for FY09+

• Investigate new tools

• Digital future

• Continue state, regional, national conversations