J & G Meakin English Ironstone Pottery

The items added to the Omeka S virtual exhibition are from a collection of china tableware given to me by my mother-in-law. They originally belonged to her mother. I chose to highlight these items, because they represent a style of decor popular during the 1960s, and the pattern is beautiful and delicate.

Below is a link to the item set and items.

https://lis5590.create.fsu.edu/exhibits/admin/item?item_set_id=29

I used title, type, creator, date, description, format, place, publisher, and subject. I chose these metadata fields because, within the scope of this assignment, they were the most relevant. Based on my research, I managed to elicit the information I provided from websites and the items themselves. I considered the search preferences of users while creating the records.

The function that this metadata serves is to make these items more discoverable for anyone who might be seeking data or conducting research on these items. These particular metadata fields enable users to discover these items by searching by company name, pattern, flowers used in design, location, topic/subject – pottery, and period. Patrons or users should be able to understand the relevance of the information provided in the data set. The metadata I provided should function as a guide for users and provide context for the items.

I want my audience and other users to understand the purpose of the items and how they were used. The more traditional style of china is not as popular today, and I thought it would be interesting for modern audiences to see one of the styles of dinnerware used in the 1960s – 70s.

One of the issues I encountered during this project was deciding which items I wanted to include in my digital exhibit. I wanted to create a visually appealing exhibit with clear and professional-looking pictures. I wanted the items to have a commonality of use and the exhibit to seem cohesive. I did not want to create an exhibit with random items.

After speaking to my peers during our breakout meeting, I remembered the china in my cabinet and thought it would make an interesting virtual exhibit. I knew that these items already contained basic information on the base, and since I have searched for replacement pieces in the past, I knew that I would be able to include enough metadata.

In terms of describing these items, I feel that it was very straightforward. I believe the vocabulary and terms I included in my metadata provide easier access to discovery. The impact of using language and metadata that was not descriptive enough is that it would create a barrier to accessing information.

I am an avid user of digital exhibits and a huge proponent of open access, particularly as it applies to cultural heritage. In my former student life, I studied anthropology and archeology. My passion remains in learning more about the cultural values of artifacts. Preservation for future generations is also at the forefront of my mind when thinking about digitization and digital exhibits. I feel blessed to live in an age where delicate and priceless items can be digitized and shared with everyone.

One of the benefits of creating digital exhibits is that they are available to anyone at any time. Funding has been and will always be the utmost concern for museum repositories. Maintaining virtual sites might cost significantly less and cause some museums to close to the public. The use of AI might increase. There has been a lot of discussion about AI and metadata as it relates to cataloging in libraries. Only time will tell.

There are many opportunities for museums to join forces, to create cooperatives to address the need for innovative virtual exhibits, and to collaborate to find unique ways to meet their patrons’ needs. Within my library system, there have been talks about generating a list of resources that staff can circulate across the system. This is a cost-effective way of sharing resources. Resource sharing affords institutions the chance to provide quality programs and services to patrons at a reduced cost. Museums already employ this method of sharing through traveling exhibits.

As an information professional, one of my primary concerns for the future of libraries and museums is access to information. The digital divide remains an ongoing issue, particularly for the aging population. Also, there may come a point when our technological infrastructure becomes unsustainable.

Libraries and museums must be able to adapt to a rapidly changing technological landscape. Staff working in cultural heritage institutions must be innovative and keep themselves informed about changes and new ideas on the horizon.