Preserving and managing collections

Since the 1990s, the IISH has endeavoured to make its collections available via the internet. Wherever possible, the collections are freely accessible.

To enable exchange and cooperation with other (collection-holding) institutes in the field of socio-economic history, the IISH uses internationally recognised metadata standards (MARC, EAD, METS, PREMIS, DDI) in describing its collections. In our metadata, we establish links to international glossaries such as VIAF and AAT.

All digital objects are stored in the digital repository. In doing so, each object is stored four times, in different (Dutch) locations. The authenticity and integrity of the objects are also checked regularly. The IISH uses a range of applications to process, make available and permanently store the objects. More about the working processes and principles behind the digital repository can be found in the digital preservation policy plan.

To ensure sustainable and durable reference to the materials in the IISG collections, we use persistent identifiers (Handle system) for all descriptions and objects. In this way, access to IISH sources used in scientific research will remain guaranteed in the future. The IISH also offers the descriptions and objects in machine-readable format via APIs and as Linked Open Data.

In shaping IISH collection policy, we follow international developments and standards as well as the principles laid down in the National Digital Heritage Strategy. We are also closely linked to the Network Digital Heritage.

Meerendonk | De eerste Nederlandse programmeerbare computer in het Mathematisch Centrum | IISG BG B28/625