In this hands-on, experiential workshop, participants will be introduced to new advances in 3D scanning technology, get hands-on experience with easy-to-use 3D scanning apps available for any Android or iOS smartphone, and have in-depth discussions with experts and peers regarding the legal and ethical considerations involved when scanning and preserving cultural heritage artifacts. Digitization of cultural knowledge is becoming increasingly important as libraries, archives, galleries, and museums work toward increasing the ease of access of their collections, improving on existing preservation methods and techniques, and increasing the diversity of cultural knowledge that is freely available to the general public - all in an era when cultural heritage is facing unprecedented threats from climate change, natural disasters, wars, and rising social unrest and upheaval. This workshop is designed for anyone working in a cultural heritage institution, including library workers, museum professionals, archivists, and others involved in the curation and preservation of culture in the public interest. Participants who are willing to download a 3D scanning app to their smartphone will be able to actively digitize an object of their choice; others will be able to follow along with live demonstrations and by interacting with previously digitized artifacts that have been subsequently 3D-printed. This hands-on demonstration will naturally lead to participants sharing their challenges with preservation of cultural heritage artifacts and how they have begun to meet some of those challenges. Presenters will also share their own current work and the tools and policies being developed that can help cultural heritage professionals explore the legal and ethical ramifications of making cultural artifacts more widely available, including special considerations when working with traditional knowledge artifacts or artifacts from historically underserved or marginalized populations.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to: Demonstrate one cost-efficient and easy-to-use method to digitize cultural heritage artifacts.
Upon completion, participants will be able to: Describe the legal and ethical considerations that GLAM institutions and professionals need to keep in mind when digitizing and preserving culture.
Upon completion, participants will be able to: Recognize how to become part of an international, interdisciplinary community of institutions and professionals working towards similar goals of access and preservation.
Upon completion, participants will be able to: Identify additional resources for further information and training opportunities.