Athenaeum OL (On Line) Archive Works is an online repository for
static archives. Museums and libraries are target users for the service
but any organization with microfilm, newspaper or photo collections will
find major benefits in the new service.
Archive Works allows patrons to search through years of newspaper,
stacks of photographs or volumes of microfilm over the web using key
words. Taking advantage of the speed of web searching and the
accessibility of the web, patrons and test users have found the service
to be fast, efficient and simple to use.
Key features of the service include a customizable user interface,
owner defined search indexes, super fast search capabilities, and an
affordable pricing structure compared to similar services. The
customizable interface allows an organization to create an interface
that blends with their existing website, using their fonts, colors and
logos.
As more and more information is handled electronically moving volumes
of static information to the web just makes sense. Creators of the
service, Andrew Powell of 2G Tech (http://www.2gtech.com), a software development firm in Grand Rapids, and Garry Olson of Lakeshore Document Services (http://www.lakeshoredocuments.com), a document management company in Norton Shores, saw a need in the market place and created the solution.
“We spoke with a lot of library and museum personnel who wanted a
better solution at a better price. I presented the idea to Andrew and he
ran with it,” said Garry Olson. “So far we’ve gotten really good
feedback from users. We think we’ve hit the mark with this product.”
And they have. The service has been set up for a southwest Michigan
library and the patrons testing the service have commented on the fast
search speeds and the ease of the interface. Even stating in written
surveys that the system exceeds their expectations and offers
improvement over similar services.
Traditionally newspaper collections have been converted to microfilm.
We’ve all used the large clunky viewing machines for microfiche and
microfilm. Finding specific information in this scenario can be time
consuming and cumbersome.
Other collections, such as photographs, age and degrade over time.
Handling delicate and aging documents, photos or newspapers can be
damaging. Finding that one specific photo can take hours of sorting
through hundreds of photos. By using the web to search and access the
content, collections suddenly open up and become relevant.
Try Before You Buy
The company has set up a “Conversion Kit Demo” for organizations to
try the service with their own data for a limited time to determine if
the service meets their needs. The conversion kit includes postage paid
packaging to send your digital, film or hard copy items. Lakeshore
Document Services provides the scanning service. The digitized
information is loaded into the system and the organization is given
access to a demonstration site. An Athenaeum representative provides a
short demonstration using a web meeting service and the prospect is left
to try the service, on his/her own. To order a conversion kit visit: http://www.archiveol.com/orderform.
Other Key Features
The interface is a simple search screen, intuitive and easy for any
level of computer user. Clients can customize the screen with colors,
logos and search criteria. Advanced Boolean search functions help more
sophisticated users narrow search results. Photographs are indexed by
owner-defined keywords and descriptions. The service also offers a
content management option to add new content and manage keywords and
indexes.
For more information about Athenaeum OL Archive Works email support@archiveol.com or visit the web at http://www.archiveol.com. To order a conversion kit visit http://www.archiveol.com/orderform.