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- The goal of the soft launch is have to something representative of the different sections of the CHF (Museum, Library, Rare Book, Archives)
- The soft launch won't be limited to access on site, but it will not be announced and it will have the beta tag.
- Meeting this past summer with curators identified 3 broad themes to build the initial digital collection around.
- This has been challenging due to technical limitations: no Works (multi-page objects) in Hydra, and photography challenges with space, objects and equipment.
- As a result curators have branched out into other themes as well.
- This has proven to be positive: much of the content selected has been very exciting. (e.g. Second Skin museum exhibit and archival stamp collections)
- With the soft launch coming, what should be in Hydra and what would be a problem if it was missing?
- Archives: Inability to ingest multi-file works is currently limiting content, but there are no major missing areas. Would be happy to launch as-is and keep building.
- Photographs: There are no major missing areas.
- Rare Books: Some major acquisitions that had a high profile should be included in Hydra, such as selections from recent Debus acquisition. The Newton manuscript and the Ritman manuscripts were mentioned.
- Ritman mss already digitized but not yet cataloged, which needs to be done before it is in Hydra.
- Many user requests for manuscripts, so it would help to put them online. We will start with testing ingest of smaller multi-file works (front and back of a letter) before ingesting books that are several hundred pages long.
- Museum: Chemistry sets are a priority, then glassware, and then electro-chemistry. Given that soft launch date is close to opening of Decay exhibit, some material from that should be included, too.
- Pulling some objects for quick photography sessions is a possible idea.
- Objects in the exhibits may be on loan, so wouldn't go in Hydra. This was an appeal of Spotlight to allow linking the objects at other institutions.
- For Second Skin, there are objects waiting on the mannequin which can be done prior to the final dressing on Mondayfinal dressing (by mannequin dresser) to look their best; this happens right before the exhibit opens. Photography can be done on Mondays (when museum is closed) during the exhibit.
- The full sized adult mannequin will require some setup in another room, possibly a Conference Center room.
- Standards for mannequin shots are needed.
- An exhibit field on metadata template would be useful to track what digital objects have been in an exhibit. Exhibition history would be tracked elsewhere, but could add multiple fields if used in multiple exhibits.
- How should staff-curated exhibits made via Exhibit Labs be treated? Unsure, but open to future discussion regarding use of Exhibit or Collection fields.
- Oral History: Currently waiting on Works to add objects.
- There are still questions on viewers for both pdf transcripts and audio recordings. Will need to sit down with oral history when ready.
- Modern Library: Things look good.
- Ron suggested that Library includes some highlights from recent donor collections (e.g. Flavor Chemists)
- Ron and Erin shared the opinion that an eclectic collection was not seen as a flaw as long as some key areas are covered. Others agreed.
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