Australian Museum Launches Major Digitization of Historic Photo Archives
The Australian Museum has initiated the Photographic Archives Digitisation (PAD) Project to preserve its extensive collection of historical photographs. This effort, which began in early 2022, involves digitizing over 305,000 analog images dating from the 1860s to the early 2000s, capturing the museum's activities in research, exhibitions, and fieldwork. The project is managed by Giorgia Gakas, with Olivia Roosen and Nadiye Cicek as digitization officers, and includes collaboration with external vendor DatacomIT in Pemulwuy, NSW. The initiative aims to safeguard fragile materials like glass plate negatives and improve documentation by itemizing each photograph individually, ensuring long-term digital preservation and enhanced access for research and education.
Key facts
- The PAD Project started in early 2022 to digitize the Australian Museum's photographic archives.
- Over 305,000 analog photographs from the 1860s to early 2000s have been digitized as of February 2023.
- The project is led by Giorgia Gakas, with Olivia Roosen and Nadiye Cicek as digitization officers.
- External vendor DatacomIT in Pemulwuy, NSW, handles digitization, including fragile items like glass plate negatives.
- The project includes two phases: digitization and enhanced documentation, with a focus on preservation and research.
Entities
Institutions
- Australian Museum
- DatacomIT
Locations
- Pemulwuy, NSW
- Australia