Despite all the verbiage in the name, this was one of the best sessions I attended at the SAA conference, because it focused so clearly on a real need in the profession and offered a tangible and practical solution. The session centered on Archon a brand new software project that has just been released by Chris Prom, Scott Schwartz, and Chris Richel at UIUC. The system is designed as an affordable and relatively simple option for automating very archives (hence the “lone arrangers” focus in the session title), but I think perhaps the creators are being modest — it has features that even some larger organizations could take advantage of.
The system runs on a PHP5 and MySQL platform — which can both be installed on a variety of operating systems. It allows for the heirarchical cataloging of archival collections (down to the item level if you wish), and has capabilities to both import and export standard formats such as EAD and MARC. It also provides a public frontend to the archival database, and even allows attachment of digital files for use as a digital library.
I can see immediate applications for this software, and I’m hoping to get it up and running at Simmons for use in archival classes. (Even if the software had no other capabilities, the ability to easily create EAD files using a form is extremely useful.)
The only thing that gave me pause on this was the license under which UIUC has chosen to release it. Rather than using a “true” open source license like the GPL, they have released it under an Academic and Research Use License (PDF) which prevents use by any commercial entity, and seems to include some other restrictions. (Apparently the GPL was rejected because UIUC could “lose control” of the software.) This is unfortunate, since if this software lives up to its promise, it deserves to attract a wide following of users and developers. The more proprietary restrictions UIUC puts on the software, the less likely this is to happen.
It’s also unfortunate that the software requires PHP5, since many servers still run older editions of PHP4 and the need to upgrade may make the software less accessible for some users. But this is surmountable, and after talking to Chris Rishel I understand why he did it.
The panel included views from two other early testers of the software: Deborra Richardson of the National Museum of American History, and Pamela Nye, an archival consultant. (Nye is pregnant and was unable to appear in person, but she sent a Powerpoint and some remarks.) Neither of the two reviewers was able to get the software running first hand — one due to technical problems and one due to organizational issues. However, it seems like these problems are not really related to the core product itself. Both had tested the functionality on the UIUC system, and seemed to think it offered a great deal of potential.
While talking with program attendees after the conference, I also became aware of a parallel development effort being sponsored by the International Council on Archives. It sounds like the two teams are tackling many of the same problems — there may be opportunities for collaboration in the future.