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Participants

In broad terms, PictureVictoria aims to:

facilitate online publishing of digital historical images via a central, statewide database
provide an opportunity for the importing of existing data/collections via a database upload system
provide a mechanism for future contributions via a web form function

There are 44 public library services across Victoria. These range from small, single municipality libraries, to large regional 'corporations' serving two or more local councils, with numerous library branches spread across wide geographic areas.

Participation is open to all Victoria's public libraries. While PictureVictoria is not yet a comprehensive survey of the local history collections held by public libraries across the State, it is hoped that as the database grows PictureVictoria will prove to be a valuable addition to the wealth of local and national history resources accessible online.

Every Victorian public library service also has a presence on the web. Library catalogues are all available online, as well as additional resources and services such as local history material, (although the scope of what is offered varies widely across services). If you are interested in making contact with a particular library service, or would like to browse individual library web sites, a comprehensive listing of all Victorian library services is available via Victoria's Virtual Library

How PictureVictoria works

Each image in the database is held on a centralised server and is displayed as part of a web page. The page includes the image itself and information that describes the image, in HTML. This descriptive information is called metadata. PictureVictoria uses metadata in the Dublin Core format.

Each participating service can load images and data either by batch or manual entry. The data for images should include terms from the Australian Picture Thesaurus. This is a controlled list of subject headings which provides contemporary Australian terminology for the description of images. Its use will ensure the common description of pictorial collections across Australian libraries, museums and archives. More information about the APT is available on the Australian Pictorial Thesaurus web site.

The benefits in participating in PictureVictoria are both strategic and operational.

Participating in a statewide service provides a high level of awareness and access to your own image collections and services.
Ongoing promotion of the collaborative nature of the service may attract additional funding.
Opportunities are available to gain access to new user communities.
The resources required to participate in the service are minimal, as the service has adopted a centralised model that takes a copy of standard descriptive data.
Existing data and collections can be added via a database upload facility.
A simple web form is available for online contributions.
Supporting the use of the Australian Picture Thesaurus will improve the quality of resource description.
Information can be shared between participants with regard to Web design, metadata and image standards.

Having your collection available via PictureVictoria also benefits your users.

Searching Victorian local history collections is made quicker and easier.
Access is increased through the 'one-shop stop' design, with links to significant collections around the nation.
Search results are made more consistent through the use of standard descriptive information.
Increased coverage results in a higher level of satisfaction, and encourages continued use of the service.

How can I participate?

Do you have an image collection that you would like to increase access to and awareness of?
Victorian public library services are able to join PictureVictoria to find new audiences for their collections. Historical societies are able to participate in collaboration with their local public library.

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