“Collaboration in the Digital Age”, Second Forum in the Connecting to Collections National Tour Series Completed
On June 24 and 25, 230 museum, library, and archive professionals gathered in Denver to explore “Collaboration in the Digital Age”, sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in partnership with Heritage Preservation. The forum was a resounding success, with enthusiastic attendance at the panels and reception and lively discussions in the Question-and-Answer periods and during the popular Connections Lab, a gathering of attendees, speakers, and representatives of funding organizations. The entire forum’s program is available via
webcast: http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/heritage_preservation/080624/default.cfm
The forum was held at the three sponsoring Denver institutions: The Denver Public Library, Colorado Historical Society, and Denver Art Museum. Their fascinating collections and innovative buildings were the perfect setting for this gathering. Local dignitaries included Mayor John Hickenlooper; Shirley Amore, City Librarian, Denver Public Library; Edward C. Nichols, President and CEO, Colorado Historical Society; and Dr. Lewis Sharp, Director, Denver Art Museum, all of whom provided a warm welcome to the participants who came from 44 states and Puerto Rico and the People’s Republic of China. National leaders who attended included Adair Margo, Chairman of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and Bruce Cole, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and Dr. Anne-Imelda Radice, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The topic, “Collaboration in the Digital Age” responded to the needs of smaller museums and libraries by helping them think strategically and collaboratively about digitization and digital preservation. Speakers reviewed the fundamentals of digital content creation and preservation, emphasizing practical approaches to planning digital projects, following the latest best-practices and standards and protecting digital investments. Francie Alexander, Senior Vice President of Scholastic Education and Chief Academic Officer of Scholastic Inc., was the first of many speakers, including leaders in the digital preservation field and other distinguished professionals from across the nation. The keynote speaker was Elizabeth Broun, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Two more regional forums will complete
Connecting to Collections: the National Tour: “Care for Living Collections” will be held in San Diego in February 2009 and “Training in Collections Care” will be in Buffalo in June 2009. Registration information will be found on the IMLS National Tour website:
http://www.imls.gov/collections/Tour/index.htm as it becomes available.
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