Aberdeen City Libraries
Aberdeen City Libraries uses iBase to manage historic image and collection assets, bringing metadata, permissions and search into one governed DAM environment.
Case study
Aberdeen City Libraries Historic Digital Collection Management
Aberdeen City Libraries uses iBase for "The Silver City Vault", a digital collection offering thousands of historic Aberdeen photographs with location, category and keyword search, plus online ordering and digital downloads.
Project summary
Project Summary
iBase helps library and local history teams manage Aberdeen City Libraries' historic digital collections, keeping assets organised, searchable and governed.
Historic Digital Collection Management
The system connects historic collections with rights, metadata and public access needs.
Access, Rights and Reuse
Library and local history teams can organise, protect and share digital assets through structured DAM workflows.
Project focus
Project Focus
Uploaded photographs can be searched by location, category or keyword.
Once a search is complete, simply click on the thumbnail image to see the full record.
Order high resolution images online which can then be supplied on CD or printed onto gloss paper in a variety of sizes.
Custom Displays
Historic records and images can use custom displays depending on the information being viewed, helping curators and researchers see more context at once.
Search and Discovery
Users can find relevant assets through structured search, metadata and browsing tools.
Licensing and Sales
Ordering and licensing workflows can support public access and revenue-generating services.
Public Comments
Members of the public can submit comments on digital files, with additions reviewed by a system manager before publication.
DAM outcomes
DAM Outcomes
iBase helps Aberdeen City Libraries keep historic photographs organised, searchable and ready for public access.
Metadata, custom displays, public comments, ordering and image-viewing tools sit alongside the assets, giving teams a governed source for collection access.
Staff and users can reach approved material more quickly, with less reliance on fragmented storage or manual transfers.
Client view
Client Perspective
Aberdeen City Library and Information Services use the iBase digital asset management system to widen access to our historic collections via The Silver City Vault. It has been particularly useful for our popular historic photographs as it enables the online display of high quality files and features such as image ordering, user comments and magnifier. The customer support from iBase has been excellent. Their response has been consistently fast and effective.
David Oswald, Local Studies Librarian, Aberdeen City Council
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