The Future of Open GLAM (Festival Retas Budaya)

Summary

The speaker explores the future of Open GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) by focusing on three key aspects: Open Access, Open Data, and Open Source. Through real-world examples, such as a project involving the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, they demonstrate how these principles can drive innovation in cultural heritage institutions. The presentation highlights the value of small-scale digital initiatives, the importance of openness in technology and methodology, and the potential of creative reuse in digital media. It advocates for a mindset of openness to foster collaboration, learning, and the continued relevance of cultural collections.

Takeaways

• 😀 Open GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) can lead the way in cultural heritage by embracing openness in access, data, and resources.
• 😀 The future of GLAM institutions lies in the broad concept of openness, which encompasses open access, open data, and open source in the digital age.
• 😀 Open Access, in the context of GLAM, is about sharing digital reproductions of cultural heritage under open licenses, such as Creative Commons, to allow reuse and modification.
• 😀 There are challenges in digitizing entire collections, but even small-scale digital projects can have a significant impact by engaging new audiences and sparking creative reuse of cultural heritage.
• 😀 The 'Museum4point0' project demonstrates the potential of using open-access digitized materials in innovative ways, such as gamification to engage younger audiences.
• 😀 By embracing open licenses and collaboration with external partners, GLAM institutions can develop creative, user-centered projects that make cultural heritage more accessible and interactive.
• 😀 Working with limited budgets and incomplete projects can still lead to valuable prototypes that illustrate the power of open access and reuse in creating new, creative experiences.
• 😀 Open Data supports research, learning, and large-scale collection aggregation by providing machine-readable formats that facilitate academic and creative reuse, ensuring the long-term relevance of cultural collections.
• 😀 Open Source technology allows for the adaptation and reuse of software created by others, saving time and resources, and encouraging broader collaborative efforts in cultural heritage projects.
• 😀 Embracing openness as a mindset—across technology, collaboration, and communication—can help GLAM institutions stay relevant, foster innovation, and create a more inclusive and diverse interpretation of cultural heritage.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the presentation?

The main focus of the presentation is the future of GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) in the context of openness. The speaker explores three key aspects: Open Access, Open Data, and Open Source, discussing their importance and potential in the digital age.

How does the speaker define Open Access in the GLAM context?

Open Access refers to publishing cultural heritage objects, such as books, artworks, and museum artifacts, in digital form under open licenses like Creative Commons. This allows users not only to view these objects but also to share, reuse, and remix them.

Why is metadata important when sharing digital objects in the GLAM sector?

Metadata is crucial because it provides essential information about the object, enhancing its accessibility and usability. Without metadata, digital objects may lack context, limiting their potential for research, reuse, and creative reinterpretation.

What challenge does the speaker acknowledge regarding Open Access?

The challenge lies in the fact that not all cultural collections can be digitized and published openly due to resources and logistical constraints. However, the speaker emphasizes that even small-scale digitization efforts can have significant positive impact, such as providing selected objects for creative reuse.

Can small-scale digital projects still have a meaningful impact?

Yes, even small-scale digital projects can be impactful. By selecting and publishing a few key objects under Open Access, institutions can engage new audiences, inspire creative reuse, and contribute to broader cultural and educational goals.

What example does the speaker give of a small-scale Open Access project?

The speaker mentions the 'museum4point0' project, where they used digitalized materials to create an educational game for children. The project involved limited resources but successfully demonstrated how even small collections could have a significant impact when shared openly.

What is the role of Open Data in the GLAM sector?

Open Data involves publishing collections in machine-readable formats to facilitate research, learning, and large-scale collection efforts. By making data accessible, institutions support academic research across disciplines and enable global data collection efforts like Linked Open Data.

How can Open Data foster creative reuse and innovation?

Open Data allows creative professionals and artists to use cultural data in new ways, contributing to the creation of digital and computational art. This encourages new forms of artistic expression and ensures that cultural collections remain relevant in contemporary contexts.

What does Open Source mean in the GLAM context?

Open Source refers to the practice of using and sharing software applications that can be freely accessed, modified, and distributed. In the GLAM context, Open Source software enables institutions to create tools for managing and presenting cultural data that can be used by others without restrictions.

Can you give an example of an Open Source project in the GLAM sector?

The speaker highlights the 'VIKUS' project, which visualized cultural collections in a timeline format. This prototype was released as Open Source, allowing other institutions to use and adapt the tool for their own collections. Over time, the tool has been developed further and adapted by other projects.

What is the significance of 'openness' as a mindset in the GLAM sector?

Openness as a mindset goes beyond just digital access; it involves adopting an inclusive approach to technology, collaboration, and communication. Embracing new technologies, methods, and creative approaches can help GLAM institutions stay relevant and innovative in the future.

What is the speaker’s view on failure in the context of digital projects?

The speaker emphasizes that failure should be seen as a learning opportunity. When working with new methods and technologies, it's essential to experiment, fail, and reflect. This process helps refine approaches and encourages innovation, rather than discouraging future attempts.

How does the speaker suggest improving communication in GLAM institutions?

The speaker advocates for active listening and learning from different stakeholders, including audiences and colleagues from diverse disciplines. Being open to feedback and engaging with different perspectives helps ensure that cultural heritage is communicated inclusively and dynamically.

Why is collaboration with other disciplines important for GLAM institutions?

Collaboration with other disciplines brings in new expertise, technologies, and approaches, enriching the work of GLAM institutions. By incorporating diverse viewpoints, GLAM institutions can stay at the forefront of innovation and create more relevant and engaging experiences for their audiences.