O patrimônio fotográfico de Santa Maria em ambiente digital

Abstract

In view of the potential presented by information and communication technologies, this study discusses access to the photographic archives of the Historical Archive of Santa Maria using the ICA-AtoM (International Council of Archives - Access to Memory) tool available on the world wide computers, based on theoretical criteria for archival description and access to digital documents. The proposed activities are discussed from preparing the documentation to the final presentation of the information to the user. It is a scientific research of an applied nature, exploratory and qualitative approach. The research is divided into five stages: 1) preparation of documentation and literature review, 2) digitization of documents, 3) the ICA-AtoM software installation; 4) description of photographs; and 5) analysis of the results obtained by previous practical activities, in comparison with the recommendations raised in the literature review. The electronic survey instrument is available on the Internet to users in general, containing archival descriptions and the digital representative, based on existing national recommendations. It was found that it is possible to perform digital capture using low-cost, guided by the recommendations of digital preservation. Regarding the software, it was found that there are many features that enrich and facilitate the activity of archival description and presentation of information to the end user. It was concluded that each institution has its own specifications in relation to archival description of the documentary genre and their preferences in the description, however, when compared to commercial solutions, ICA-AtoM software lets you explore enormous potential for a fraction of the cost of proprietary solutions, and guided by the standards of archival description.