ART.DATA conference - presentation of the effects of digitization projects from the Digital Poland Operational Program

As part of the Digital Poland Operational Program, from August 2020 to July 2023, the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź implemented the project "Digital Sharing of Resources of Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź". Its aim was to develop the database of digital resources belonging to the Muzeum Sztuki and to improve access to this data for external users (the public - Internet users) and internal users (museum workers). In addition to digitizing selected works, a specific task of the project was to provide appropriate technical and IT infrastructure (matrices, servers, system, computer and photographic equipment) and to create a safe repository of digital MS resources.

The old database system for inventorying collections that operated in the Museum was no longer efficient. Moreover, it was not integrated with the website zasoby.msl.org.pl, which presents works of art from the collection of the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź. All data on the website about works of art and their images were entered manually. Additionally, materials related to works of art, such as multimedia, accessibility materials, purchase agreements, and copyright agreements, remained scattered in various sections. The new system gathered all the above-mentioned materials in one place. This not only improved collection management, but also made it easier to share relevant data on the Internet.

The system was connected to specially prepared repositories of photos of digitized works, audiovisual works and accessibility materials prepared on new servers, which also ensured proper storage of digital materials created during the program, as well as those that the Museum already had.

A good example here is the repository of audiovisual works. Based on consultations with other centers, the Museum has created within the collections department a general scheme of good practices regarding the digitization, archiving and storage of films and sound works. By digitizing 79 such works recorded on 35 mm, 16 mm and VHS film tapes, radio tapes, audio tapes and gramophone records as part of the program, it also prepared archiving and distribution copies: digital in access storage in the repository on the server, and in deep storage on tapes LTO and portable drives stored in the art warehouse. In the case of film tapes - also analog distribution and archiving copies on 16 mm tapes. Dividing the material into deep and access storage provided double protection of the digitized material. The material on the server and connected to the database system is also backed up. Each digitized material has been preserved in the best resolution possible for the given initial material, also in a number of formats in files suitable for various types of distribution and in low-resolution previews. Digital stills from the films were also prepared. It is worth adding that the repository has organized all digital materials related to audiovisual and sound works: digitized in the program and digital from the beginning, which allows for efficient sharing of audiovisual works, e.g. for own exhibitions and as digital copies externally.

The system, connected to the repositories, is available to employees and at a station in the library for museum guests. Interoperates with network services such as API, digital integrations - e.g. the national KRONIK@ repository.

The second element of the program was the digitization and processing of works. It included the digitization of 1,050 works of art, the preparation and verification of records for 5,000 works published without multimedia, the digitization of 100 materials from library resources, the preparation of 300 curator's notes and simplified descriptions of works translated into English, and finally the preparation of accessibility materials: pictograms and descriptions for people with autism spectrum, audio description and recordings in Polish Sign Language.

All produced materials were placed in the system (and repositories) and then exported to the portal zasoby.msl.org.pl, which updates data from the database program once a day.

The entire activity was supported by a promotional campaign: promotional and dissemination meetings, including for people with special needs, carried out in cooperation with educators; a social media campaign presenting selected works with extensive coverage; and last year also an outdoor campaign, a press conference and the production of three films summarizing the effects of the project.

On September 12 and 13, 2023, Emilia Antosz, Aneta Błaszczyk-Smolec, Monika Cywińska-Pryt, Paulina Kurc-Maj, Marta Pierzchała, Angelina Wieliczko-Skinder, Marta Skłodowska, representatives of the Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź took part in the ART.DATA conference summarizing the effects of digitization projects from the Digital Poland Operational Program.
 

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As part of the three-year implementation of the "Digital Sharing of Resources of Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź" project, 1,228 works will be finally digitized, of which 1,150 will be made available online. These will include both works of old art (60 objects) and modern art (990 objects), films from the collection (78 objects) as well as library materials (100 objects). 5,000 documents containing metadata about works will also be made available. In addition, a total of 300 films will be created in Polish Sign Language describing digitized museum objects in terms of their readability for deaf people, as well as the same number of descriptions in simplified Polish and pictograms describing digitized museum objects in a way that facilitates their perception for people with cognitive disorders. To meet the needs of visually impaired and blind people, the museum will create 300 audio descriptions of works. Moreover, each year of the project implementation, an educational and consultation meeting is organized for all people interested in using this content. The first one took place on June 20, 2021, the second one was planned for October 5, 2021.

Completion time: August 2020 - July 2023

Total value of the project: PLN 4,994,130.11 (gross) PLN 4,432,737.49 (net)

Contribution of European Funds: PLN 3,751,425.54 (net)

Project titled Digital Sharing of Resources of Muzeum Sztuki in Łódź is co-financed under Measure 2.3 Digital availability and usability of public sector information, sub-measure 2.3.2 Digital access to cultural resources, priority axis II E-administration and open government of the Digital Poland Operational Program.

Co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage. Amount of funding: PLN 679,359.96