Library and Archival Exhibitions on the Web is an international

database In computing, a database is an organized collection of data stored and accessed electronically. Small databases can be stored on a file system, while large databases are hosted on computer clusters or cloud storage. The design of databases s ...

online exhibition An online exhibition, also referred to as a virtual exhibition, online gallery, cyber-exhibition, is an exhibition whose venue is cyberspace. Museums and other organizations create online exhibitions for many reasons. For example, an online exhi ...

s which is a service of the

Smithsonian Institution Libraries Smithsonian Libraries and Archives is an institutional archives and library system comprising 21 branch libraries serving the various Smithsonian Institution museums and research centers. The Libraries and Archives serve Smithsonian Institutio ...

Overview

Two categories of online exhibitions are included in the database: exhibitions created by

libraries A library is a collection of Document, materials, books or media that are accessible for use and not just for display purposes. A library provides physical (hard copies) or electronic media, digital access (soft copies) materials, and may be a ...

archives An archive is an accumulation of historical records or materials – in any medium – or the physical facility in which they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or ...

historical societies This is a partial List of historical and heritage societies from around the world. The sections provided are not mutually exclusive. Many historical societies websites are their museums' websites. List is organized by location and later by special ...

, and other scholarly institutions; and

museum A museum ( ; plural museums or, rarely, musea) is a building or institution that cares for and displays a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Many public museums make thes ...

exhibitions with major emphasis on library and archival materials. Several of these online exhibitions were originally created to accompany exhibitions physically situated at their respective institutions, but a growing percentage exist solely in remotely accessible format. The database is searchable by title, subject, and sponsoring institution.

History

The website is based on an online guide to library exhibits on the web, created by Andrea Bean Hough in 1995. The guide was maintained by the

University of Houston The University of Houston (UH) is a public research university in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1927, UH is a member of the University of Houston System and the university in Texas with over 47,000 students. Its campus, which is primarily in s ...

Libraries until it had grown to some 350 links in 1998–99, and staffing considerations made it necessary for the university to discontinue participation in the project. Since then, the guide has been curated by Diane Shaw, Special Collections Librarian at the

. As of 2011, it has grown to include over 6,000 links to online exhibitions.

Recognition

Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, a publication of the

Association of College and Research Libraries The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association, is a professional association of academic librarians and other interested individuals. It is dedicated to enhancing the ability of academi ...

, awarded ''Editor's Pick'' to the database in August 2010, saying it was "the most comprehensive source for existing digital exhibitions." It was also listed under ''Best of the Web'' by New York Public Library and had previously been rewarded ''Site of the Month'' by ''LibrarySpot''.
Congratulations to Library and Archival Exhibitions on the Web
'
Library Spot
Retrieved August 3, 2011.

References

External links

Library and Archival Exhibitions on the Web
hosted by the

Smithsonian Institution The Smithsonian Institution ( ), or simply the Smithsonian, is a group of museums and education and research centers, the largest such complex in the world, created by the U.S. government "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge". Founded ...

{{Authority control Internet properties established in 1995 Online databases Web directories Museum informatics Museum events Exhibitions Libraries in the United States Archives in the United States Digital humanities Virtual art museums and galleries University of Houston Smithsonian Institution

Overview

History

Recognition

See also

References

External links