The Connected Digital Heritage programme line was recently launched. This programme line, run by Stichting Pica in association with the KB, makes it possible to connect digital heritage collections with each other. This makes it easier to search different collections and find information about a particular subject.
What's the purpose of this programme line?
Stichting Pica wants to use the Connected Digital Heritage programme line to connect digitised historical collections throughout the Netherlands. There are currently plenty of digital heritage collections, but they are all separate from one another. Linking the collections will enable users to find information about a particular subject in just one search. This is useful for researchers and people with an interest, as well as for the creative industry and the education sector. Connecting collections will increase their social value.
Heritage organisations with digital library or heritage collections can now submit project proposals. It allows them to explore, connect and enrich their digital collections.
Grant opportunities
The Connected Digital Heritage programme line consists of three different funding schemes. It allows heritage institutions to explore, connect and enrich their digital library or heritage collections. You’ll find more information and registration forms on the project page.
How does connecting collections work?
New techniques such as Linked Open Data (LOD) and persistent identifiers are used to connect collections. LOD is a way of providing data that can easily be connected with other data. A persistent identifier is a permanent reference to certain information. This is all done using new open standards like IIIF. All this means that the information is kept in its own collection, but also linked to information from other collections, allowing users to search different collections in a single search.
Collaboration with NDE
The programme line is being implemented in collaboration with the Digital Heritage Network (NDE). The heritage sector is developing nationwide facilities within this network, to make digital heritage visible and accessible to everyone, so that more collections, will be more easily accessible to more people. The KB is part of this network. The new Connected Digital Heritage programme corresponds with the principles set out in the National Digital Heritage Strategy, which describes how collections can be connected from the users' perspective. Many institutions are already working together to build interconnections.
