Posts to this blog have been scarce. This is normal in a young blog such as this one.

However, we want to encourage you to post more. We are all extremely busy but posting in a free form style is ok. I will take a first stab at that style. : )

Consider this the first of a series of free form blog posts on topics that are related to the Global Middle Ages, though that connection may be indirect.

At this time, I would like to call your attention to a recently Call for Open Access to Digital Images issued by the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG).

The set of recommendations are aimed namely at the publication of historical digital images, which are core to the GMA project - hence, this post…

The MPIWG, which co-initiated the OpenAccess movement, just launched on its website a  set of recommendations on the scholarly use of visual media. The material is the result of careful consultations the Institute conducted with scholars and representatives of leading museums, libraries, image archives and publishers.

More than best practices, the documents now published aims at creating “a network of mutual trust and cooperation between scholars and curators of cultural heritage collections with a view to facilitating access to and the scholarly use of visual media”.
This set of best practices are downloadable from the Institute’s website.
The document is addressed at curators - for example it exhorts them to accommodate scholars’ needs by providing access to high-resolution images for a low cost (or no cost).  It also addresses scholars exhorting them to recognise museums and libraries as the custodians of physical objects of cultural heritage. Furthermore, the document stresses the importance of the role of all stakeholders in the process as “guarantors of authenticity”.

Posted by Ana Boa-Ventura