Resources to help identify, prepare, and publish digital collections for open access

9 December 2024, Ali Smith.

This DIY Open GLAM Toolkit to open cultural heritage collections is built on everything learnt from working with GLAM-E Lab collaborators. When used together, the toolkit resources will help cultural organisations identify, prepare, and publish their digital collections for open access using public domain or other machine-readable statements.

It includes:

• The Onboarding Document introduces users to the GLAM-E Lab method of building an open access programme.
• Assessing and Mitigating Risk provides an overview of how to set and apply risk tolerances and takedown procedures for images and data.
• The Copyright Clearance Handbook for Public Domain Publication of Digital Collections and Copyright Clearance Log guides users through the process of clearing copyright with the goal of assigning the CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication when it is appropriate and lawful to do so.
• The Image and Metadata Handbook for Wikimedia Commons and Sandbox Template for Wikimedia Commons Metadata Management guide users through the process of organising their images and metadata for upload to Wikimedia Commons.
• Selecting an Alternative License or Label addresses which machine readable statements to use when CC0 cannot be applied.
• The Glossary provides a list of terms used across GLAM-E Lab resources.

Open GLAM Survey

How common is it for cultural organisations to publish digitised public domain collections for free reuse? Where are these materials released and under what conditions?

The Open GLAM Survey offers valuable insights into open access policies and practices within the global landscape of Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAMs).