Since 2000, the WebWise conference has brought together representatives of museums, libraries, archives, systems science, education, and other fields interested in the future of high-quality
online content for inquiry and learning. This annual conference
highlights recent research and innovations in digital technology,
explores their potential impacts on library and museum services,
and promotes effective museum and library practices in the digital environment. It also provides recipients of technology-based grants from the Institute with an opportunity to showcase their
exemplary projects.

WebWise 2011: Libraries, Museums, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in Research, Education, and Practice

The 2011 WebWise Conference on Libraries and Museums in the Digital World was held in Baltimore, March 9-11, with preconferences on the 9th and the main conference on the 10th and 11th. The theme for the 2011 conference was “Libraries, Museums, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in Research, Education, and Practice.”

Previous WebWise Conferences

WebWise 2010: Imagining the Digital Future
March 3-5, 2010

WebWise 2009: Digital Debates
February 25-27, 2009

WebWise 2008: WebWise 2.0: The Power of Community
March 5-8, 2008

WebWise 2007: Stewardship in the Digital Age: Managing Museum and Library Collections for Preservation and Use
March 1-2, 2007

WebWise 2006: Inspiring Discovery, Unlocking Collections
February 15-17, 2006

WebWise 2005: Libraries and Museums in the Digital World
February 17-18, 2005

WebWise 2004: Sharing Digital Resources
March 2004

IMLS Digital Resources

WebWise 2009 Proceedings Book (PDF, 1.0 MB)
The 10th annual WebWise Conference was held in Washington, D.C., February 26-27, 2009. The conference focused on some of the problematic “Big Issues” faced by museums, libraries, archives, and other cultural institutions as they deal with emerging technologies, changing social behaviors and expectations, and new economic realities.The Proceedings Book provides summaries of each session, full text of conference keynotes, and more.

Connecting to Collections: The National Tour: Collaboration in the Digital Age
This program—organized in cooperation with Heritage Preservation, the Colorado Historical Society, the Denver Public Library, and the Denver Art Museum—is part of Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action, an IMLS initiative to save endangered collections in the nation’s museums and libraries. Held on June 24 and 25, 2008 in Denver, CO, “Collaboration in the Digital Age” responded to the needs of museums and libraries by helping them think strategically and collaboratively about digitization and digital preservation. Consult the Glossaryand the Care of Audio-Visual Materials and Care of Digital Materials sections of the Guide to Online Resources for links to additional information sources.

WebWise 2008 Proceedings Book (PDF, 1.8MB)
The 9th annual WebWise Conference was held in Miami Beach, Florida, March 5-7, 2008. Sessions featured library and museum leaders as well as experts outside of the cultural heritage community who stimulated conversation and reflected on the challenges posed by emerging technologies. The Proceedings Book provides summaries of each session, full text of conference keynotes, and more.

WebWise 2007 Proceedings Book (PDF, 2.6MB)
The eighth annual WebWise conference, cosponsored by IMLS, OCLC, and the J. Paul Getty Trust, was held February 28–March 2 in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme was “Stewardship in the Digital Age: Managing Museum and Library Collections for Preservation and Use." The Proceedings Book provides summaries of each session, full text of conference keynotes, and more.

Status of Technology and Digitization in the Nation's Museums and Libraries - 2005
In 2001, the Institute conducted the first-ever study of the status of new technology adoption and digitization in the nation’s museums and libraries.This second study seeks to dig deeper and find out more about how and why our cultural institutions use technology and digitize their collections.

Digital Resources for Cultural Heritage: A Strategic Assessment Workshop on Current Status and Future Needs (PDF, 937 KB)
Report and recommendations stemming from an Institute sponsored workshop of 63 specialists from 26 states representing libraries, museums, archives, higher education institutions, public broadcasting, research consortia, public and private funding organizations, and service providers. The report assesses progress and plans for the development and use of digital cultural resources.

Assessment of End-User Needs in IMLS-Funded Digitization Projects (PDF, 617 KB)
An Institute commissioned study of the needs-assessment practices used in digitization projects.

A Framework of Guidance for Building Good Digital Collections (PDF, 1.5 MB)
Identifies principles of good practice and current standards in four areas: collections, digital objects, metadata, and digital projects. The Framework was developed with Institute support and is maintained by the National Information Standards Organization.

Report of the Workshop on Opportunities for Research on the Creation, Management, Preservation and Use of Digital Content (PDF, 277 KB)
The University of Florida, Florida Center for Library Automation, convened a workshop in March 2003 to assess research needs related to digital cultural content. This report summarizes the results of the workshop and presents suggestions for useful areas of research.

Status of Technology and Digitization in the Nation's Museums and Libraries - 2001
A study of the use of technology and digitization activities in libraries and museums nationwide.