International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF): what is it and why should my archives adopt it?

International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF): what is it and why should my archives adopt it?

Many library, museum, gallery, and archives institutions invest resources to digitise and present their records online. This workshop will introduce an important standard when considering the presentation and delivery of digitized archives and special collections - the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF). IIIF (https://iiif.io) is a set of tools, standards, and a community of practice that make digital images interoperable. This workshop does not require a technical background or technical expertise. It will provide an introduction to IIIF and how it can be used in archivists' professional practice. The workshop will also provide context for archives that want to use IIIF by demoing its use at the University of Toronto, in addition to examples of other archives making use of this framework. The workshop will guide participants through a basic understanding of IIIF, how to identify IIIF images, how to reuse IIIF manifests in IIIF tools, and why IIIF can help Canadian archives. The workshop will provide details about the existing IIIF community and where archivists can look for more information about IIIF. It will close with a brief facilitated discussion about how archives can consider adopting the IIIF standard and the technology they can use to support this work.

Workshop Facilitators

Kelli Babcock has been the Digital Initiatives Librarian with the University of Toronto Libraries since 2013. In this role, she coordinates the Collections Uof T and Discover Archives services, in addition to other legacy digital projects. Kelli graduated with an MLIS from McGill University with a specialization in archives in 2011. She has served as president for the Archives Association of Ontario and is currently a member of the AtoM 3 Roadmap Committee. Her current research interests include sustainability issues in library and archives technology, and simple "discoverability" best practices for surfacing online digital collections and finding aids for users.

Rachel Di Cresce is a Digital Project Librarian at the University of Toronto Libraries, working on the Mellon-funded 'Book and Silk Roads' project while also maintaining the 'Digital Tools for Manuscript Study' project. Her role encompasses usability testing, needs assessment, project management and outreach. Rachel works in close collaboration with the Information Technology Service department and Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto to develop modular, interoperable tools for digital manuscript scholars. Rachel is a graduate of Queen's University, and holds a BaH in Classical Studies as well as a Master's of Library and Information Science from McGill University. Her current interests are IIIF, digital humanities and data management.

Jessica Barr is responsible for the Archives and Records of the University of St. Michael's College. She works with the SMC Departments and Offices to maintain and preserve the records - such as reports, photographs, internal memos, and student publications - detailing the day-to-day work and the history of the College. After 4 years' archival experience as the Kelly Library Special Collections Archives Assistant, she became the USMC Archivist and Records Manager in 2013. Undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto introduced Jessica to university libraries and archives; a BA in European and German Studies followed in 2009. But it was an internship at the Eastern Michigan University Archives in 2008 that cemented her passion for archives. Jessica graduated with a Master of Information degree (MI) from the University of Toronto in 2011.

Learning Objectives

1) Understand what IIIF is and why, like RAD or EAD, it is important for interoperability of digitized archives and special collections;

2) Understand how to identify IIIF images

3) Understand how to reuse IIIF manifests within IIIF tools

4) Know about select IIIF-enabled digital collection platforms

5) Leave the session knowing how to locate IIIF community resources relevant to archivists' professional practice