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Making collections more accessible and inclusive digitally during the COVID-19 pandemic
Journal of Digital Media Management,
10
(4),
368-384
(2022)
Abstract
This paper considers the possibilities of searching and visualising collection materials at the Harry Ransom Center (HRC). In doing so, it argues that digital archival engagement is not a replacement for in-person reading room experiences, but rather enables an altogether different type of engagement with such materials. Following an analysis of the accuracy of searches in the HRC’s digital collections, the article identifies areas for improvement in increasing digital access to the HRC’s collections. Further, they reveal the misrepresentation or underrepresentation of historically oppressed groups (particularly in archives), including women, Black Americans and non-English speakers. The article concludes with recommendations for the more accurate and ethical representation of these groups in online archives.
Keywords: digital collections; search; digitisation; data visualisation; bias
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Emma Hetrick graduated in May 2022 from the dual-degree master’s programme in information studies and English at the University of Texas at Austin. She worked as a graduate research assistant in the Reference and Research Department at the Harry Ransom Center for two years. She aspires to work in an academic library as either a humanities subject specialist or digital scholarship librarian.
