Linked (open) data Digital strategy

Period

2020 - 2023

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Digitale Architectuur Traject Archiefpunt (DATA - Digital Architecture Pathway Archiefpunt)

Archiefpunt, a service organisation for archival heritage in Flanders, is on a mission to improve the user-friendliness and accessibility of its platform. We’ve worked together with them before in a professional consultancy capacity, and now we’re helping to implement of a number of planned actions as part of the DATA project – including rolling out a state-of-the-art infrastructure with APIs for presenting, exchanging and re-using data. This will help Archiefpunt to enter the era of linked open data, which has a major role to play.

Challenge

Digital development is making everything and everyone faster. Digital technologies have also become commonplace in the heritage sector, and organisations are trying to meet their target audiences’ high expectations. This evolution has a major impact on the way Archiefpunt operates as the portal for private archives and collections in Flanders and Brussels.

To tackle these digital challenges, Archiefpunt (formerly Archiefbank Vlaanderen) submitted a project application – based on the research results from meemoo’s consultancy project – to the Flemish Community in the spring of 2020. Archiefpunt’s pioneering role as a service provider within the cultural heritage sector does after all demand investment in its IT infrastructure, and the application received a project grant later that autumn. They’re preparing for the future with the project: DATA - Digitale Architectuur Traject Archiefpunt Vlaanderen: improving user-friendliness and interconnectivity in the age of linked open data.

Our role

Meemoo’s collaboration with Archiefpunt began in 2019 as a professional service. We looked at their digital strategy and IT infrastructure in a consultancy project before recommending a series of actions. The funded DATA project is following on from this. Our role is to:

  • participate in the data modelling working group (phase 1);

  • provide support with regard to content in developing an open data policy (phase 1);

  • assist with the specification and implementation of the APIs (phase 1);

  • be a member of the steering committee and advisory group that provides feedback to implement the work packages and monitor the project’s progress (phases 1 and 2).

Approach

The project is running in two phases:

  • Upgrading and expanding the data model and basic infrastructure (phase 1: 1 September 2020 - 31 August 2021);

  • Customised user-friendly web environment and service provision (phase 2: 1 September 2021 - 31 October 2022).

Phase 1: Upgrading and expanding the data model and basic infrastructure

Phase 1 focused on innovating and strengthening the data model and basic technical infrastructure, including the creation of APIs, and involved preliminary work to be able to start the next phases.

A. Migrating the database

Archiefpunt’s database was migrated to a Virtuoso Triple Store. Virtuoso is a graph database that can directly store a knowledge graph built from triples. Triples are simple building blocks consisting of a subject, predicate and object, e.g. James Ensor - was born in - Ostend. These simple building blocks can be used to create and exchange ontologies (a conceptual model for a particular domain, e.g. GeoNames for geographical entities), which simplifies the sharing and enriching of data. Graph databases are extremely suitable for use in the world of linked open data.

B. Analysing the data model

The data model was examined in terms of linked (open) data and RiC (Records in Context). In collaboration with relevant partners, Archiefpunt and meemoo then developed a new metadata model that was implemented in the new database system. All entities in the data model are identifiable and resolvable via persistent URIs. The data model is still compliant with common description standards, such as ISAD for archival descriptions, ISAAR(CPF) for archive creators and ISDIAH for archive institutions. Valuation is a new aspect within the data model. We opted for an adaptation in line with Significance 2.0, and made metadata elements containing free text systematically repeatable. We also gave them a language attribute to allow the same text to be included in different languages, each with a language label.

C. Documentation for metadata rights

Meemoo analysed the current situation regarding metadata rights in the database, and drew up a new licence model for dealing with them. This replaces the existing CC-BY-NC-SA licence with a CC0 statement in combination with a proposed source reference to good scientific referencing practice. We made new agreements with the data suppliers to ensure as much free re-usage as possible.

D. API configuration

Specific APIs were developed to simplify the exchange of data. These are interfaces that enable systems to easily communicate with each other, so Archiefpunt and external archive and collection management systems can be linked together to automate and accelerate data harvesting. At the same time, these same APIs can systematically open up data for other partners, researchers and developers, also at an international level. KADOC-KU Leuven specified the requirements for the APIs and appointed a technical partner, LIBIS. The APIs were then developed and tested, with documentation drawn up for their use.

E. Open data page editing

In collaboration with KADOC-KU Leuven, LIBIS and meemoo, Archiefpunt created a guide on the possibilities and use of public APIs, which was made available via GitHub and a documentation page.

Phase 2: Customised user-friendly web environment and service provision

The second phase is focusing on redesigning, developing and expanding the customised web environment with a view to improving user-friendliness and service provision. Archiefpunt is implementing the digital strategy and building on the results from phase 1.

Both the user and the online digital face of Archiefpunt are central to this phase. The lines of action around the database and the web environment have been merged together, using APIs to link the web environment with the database. This ensures the requested data representation can integrate better in the updated website. The innovations for the registration and search interfaces have resulted in a user-friendly tool that simplifies data entry and editing. 

A. User interface development

In phase 2, Archiefpunt wanted to improve the platform’s user-friendliness. This led to the development of new user interfaces, such as the link between the web environment and database via APIs. The search and registration interfaces were also specified.

B. Website development

Archiefpunt drew up a list of specifications for technical and functional requirements for the new website, and selected Canjotto/Antenna as technical partner to collaborate on its development. A next step is to monitor the development process and carry out testing.

C. Editing website content

Now that the new website is in development, it also needs filling with content, so it’s time to write new copy and revise old publications!

D. Toolbox

The new website will include a ‘Getting started’ aimed at managing and curating private archives and collections, with particular attention for non-professional heritage stakeholders. We worked together with heritage experts to rework, update and further supplement the ‘Archive Manual’ from the previous website with guidelines and tools for this section.

E. Implementing visual identity and campaign

A new website means a new house style. This final phase is overseeing the implementation of this house style and the development and roll-out of a promotional campaign.

Partners

Do you have a question?
Contact Ellen Van Keer
Expertise Officer
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