What is the Digital Commonwealth?

The Digital Commonwealth is a web portal or gateway to digital assets hosted by Massachusetts cultural institutions. Cultural institutions include libraries, museums, historical societies, archives, research institutions, and other repositories of our cultural heritage. The Digital Commonwealth also offers a repository service in conjunction with NELINET that is available to its members as a hosting option for digital content.

 How can I participate in the Digital Commonwealth?

There are several ways to participate in the Digital Commonwealth:

Harvested Site

Institutions with existing digital collections and associated metadata that are compatible with the Digital Commonwealth's standards may be integrated into the portal so that search results will include their digital assets. We will work with your institution to arrange for access to your metadata and digital collection. This level of participation requires that an institution join the Digital Commonwealth as a Small Institutional Member or as a General Member.

Shared Repository

Institutions may participate through shared repositories which are compatible with Digital Commonwealth standards (such as NMRLS, C/W MARS). We are working with other organizations to encourage formation of such repositories. An institution that chooses to participate in the Digital Commonwealth via a shared repository will need to make technical, financial, and governance arrangements directly with the host of the shared repository. This type of participation requires that the shared repository join the Digital Commonwealth as a Consortia Member.

Linked Site

Cultural institutions which host digital materials on the Web that are not compatible with the Digital Commonwealth's standards may still be listed as online resources. A description of your digital collection and a link will be posted on the Digital Commonwealth portal. This level of participation requires that an institution join the Digital Commonwealth as a Small Institutional Member or as a General Member.

How can I get additional information about the Digital Commonwealth?

You can visit the Digital Commonwealth website at: http://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/doc/about/, or contact Erin Logsdon.