Part 7 Public Access to the Digital Collection

A. Overview

The digital collection is accessible to the public in several ways.

1.) Catalog records are loaded into OCLC and available through World Cat.  For records loaded after 1998, a URL links to preview images loaded on the Library’s web server.

2.) The Library participates in the Colorado Digitization Project’s Heritage site.  Heritage users can search the Library’s catalog records and link to images stored on the Library’s web server.

3.) Approximately 30,000 catalog records have been loaded to the Library of Congress’ American Memory Site. Links are made to preview files loaded on the Denver Public Library’s web server.

4.) The Photo Collection maintains its own web site at http://photoswest.org.

5.) High resolution display files are available at the Denver Public Library and the Colorado Historical Society. (Prior to 2000, workstations had been set up in 18 public libraries throughout Colorado.  This statewide network was discontinued when the web site was established.)

B. Researcher Response

Public response to the on-line collection has been outstanding.  Between February 1999 and March 2003, there have been 925,996 visitors to the site. In late 2001, the Library posted a survey for users to provide feedback.  We have collected some of the comments in our Survey Responses page.

C. Gallery Pages

The Denver Public Library provides to the public a database of catalog records and digital files.  This allows the researcher to select keywords and topics of personal interest.  As the database has grown,  we’ve discovered a need to highlight materials, put photographs in historical context, and provide online “galleries” for the enjoyment of researchers and anyone else who likes to browse. These galleries provide the Library with an opportunity to tell the stories behind the pictures. Visit at http://photoswest.org/collect.htm.