Archival Imaging for Access (AIFA)
The Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre (predecessor to the eScholarship Resource Centre) developed this archiving and access digitisation method as part of an Australian Research Council funded project involving the University of Wollongong which commenced in 2002.
The primary goal is to capture images of archival originals in the most efficient and cost effective way, process the captured output and produce web deliverable images for public use. Thus the primary aim recommended here is digitisation for access.
To achieve the above aims, image capture by digital camera is recommended. A variety of software is available for processing the images, however The Heritage Document Management System - HDMS is recommended for processing and accessing images via finding aids. The HDMS is freely available (under licence) on condition that it is used to provide information about archives, history and heritage for non-commercial, heritage and public good purposes, preferably on the Web.
Here are some of the Guides to Collections that use AIFA:
- Brown Family Guide to Records - Dr. Gilbert Brown (1883-1960), CBE, was a pioneer of modern anaesthesia in Australia and was the first president of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists. Dr. Marie Brown, née Simpson, (1883-1949) had a strong emphasis on public health, maternal and infant health in her medical career. Their son, Ian Brown (1917-1987), had a 36 year career with the CSIRO. Many of the records in this collection are of a personal nature, including family photographs, diaries, family trees and correspondence, and all have been digitally imaged and can be viewed from the Guide.
- Arthur Capell (1902-1986), Guide to Records - Arthur Capell was an Australian linguist and ethnographer who spent much time recording and documenting both Australian Aboriginal languages and endangered languages in the Asia - Pacific region. This guide contains some of the records relating to his non-Australian linguistic work that have been digitally imaged.
- Catalogue of the records held at Bethlem Royal Hospital Archives and Museum, Series ARA - General admission registers - This links to the those records in the collection that have been digitally imaged, specifically the General Admission Registers.
Contact the eScholarship Resource Centre for more information about AIFA.