The following is a declaration of the criteria which digital documents must satisfy in order to be accepted. Critical factors are:
The National Library of the Czech Republic makes its decision regarding the incorporation of a document in the Manuscriptorium system as follows.The focus of Manuscriptorium is on rendering accessible the written cultural heritage prior to 1800, with particular reference to book materials, but it is also open to documents of an archival nature (especially, books, papers and maps) as a secondary priority. All digital documents in Manuscriptorium represent, in principle, an original physical document, whether still in existence or no longer extant.
The method of selection is described in greater detail in the official documentation of Manuscriptorium v. 1.2.
Our premise is that electronic information about historical resources is with increasing frequency usable directly in Manuscriptorium or is convertible to the required XML format, either routinely or with only a limited amount of effort. Compatibility can be readily achieved, especially in new projects and in projects whose approach has so far mainly involved digitisation and the creation of data.
Metadata created by any tools whose output consists of XML records using DTD MASTER are considered inherently compatible. Minor variations are admissible, but they are subject to the Director’s decision.
In cases where the conversion of existing information is problematical or the contributor considers that its form should not be altered, yet nevertheless has an interest in publshing it in Manuscriptorium, it is possible to create tools for routine conversion for purposes of achieving compatibility. The contributor attaches a so-called connector to his system and continues to manage his data independently. The information is offered to Manuscriptorium in a compatible form via this connector.
For common types of records, the connectors are attached to the Manuscriptorium server or to the contributor’s server. The use of existing connectors or the building of new ones is a matter for individual negotiation between the future partner, the National Library of the Czech Republic and the Manuscriptorium manager.
As a matter of principle, the National Library of the Czech Republic supports and finances the direct import of data to Manuscriptorium.
Information for which a connector exists or for which one is to be built is considered compatible.
The conventions followed in Manuscriptorium are described in the official documentation of Manuscriptorium v. 1.2.
Acceptance of these conventions is a guarantee of total technical compatibility.
The attachment of images to metadata requires the application and observance of conventions describing the path to the storage of images.
Manuscriptorium approves a broad range of data storage methods.
If data is stored within a system which prevents direct access to it, the attachment of the data must be carried out ad hoc by means of the so-called connector, ensuring the conversion of data and metadata to a form which can be attached to Manuscriptorium.
A good deal of data is or can be rendered freely accessible on the internet – each image can be reached at a unique URL address via the http protocol.
Data which is accessible in this way can usually be attached to Manuscriptorium without difficulty.
For ease of metadata creation, M-tool is available for download and free use – it enables the creation of basic metadata with links to image data stored at freely accessible http addresses. M-tool is available here.
