XTF and Finding Aids in EAD (Encoded Archival Description)

Contrary to what is claimed above, this blog was written by John Bewley, who appears to have offended Drupal in a previous life. Hostage negotiators have been deployed to restore his identity.

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In 2009 the University Libraries launched its installation of XTF (eXtensible Text Framework) to provide online access to finding aids representing hundreds of its archival collections. The finding aids are encoded in the current markup standard, Encoded Archival Description (EAD). There are now 421 UB finding aids in XTF for collections from the University Archives, the Poetry Collection, the Law Library, and the Music Library. There are additional finding aids from SUNY Fredonia, the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society, and Lockport Public Library.

Serving the EAD-encoded finding aids through the XTF platform provides the capability to search across the entire database of finding aids with a single search. The advantage of being able to search across multiple collections at one time is evident with searches such as “student unrest”, “Morton Feldman”, or “women’s rights”. Related material can more easily be identified, sometimes in unexpected locations.

University Libraries staff members responsible for implementing and designing the local installation of XTF include web designer Kristopher Miller, web manager Scott Hollander, and lead programmer/analyst Don Gramlich. The installation is available at:

http://libweb1.lib.buffalo.edu:8080/xtf/search

XTF was developed by the California Digital Library (http://www.cdl.org) to provide access to digital content. The platform can be used to deliver digital content in formats other than EAD, including HTML, PDF, Microsoft Word, plain text, and TEI. It is open source code that is now being used by institutions around the world, including Indiana University, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee, University of Kansas, North Carolina State University, Durham University (United Kingdom), and Visual Arkiv (Sweden). The CDL’s Online Archive of California (http://www.oac.cdlib.org/) is the most successful model for statewide collaboration on archival and digital projects. A full description of the XTF platform and its history is available at http://xtf.cdlib.org/about

Projects that highlight innovative uses of XTF beyond the delivery of archival finding aids include:

Mark Twain Project: published writings, letters, and images
http://www.marktwainproject.org/homepage.html

Frontiers of Science: collection of the illustrated comic strip of “science fact”, hosted by the University of Sydney
http://frontiers.library.usyd.edu.au/

Encyclopedia of Chicago: Chicago History Museum, Newberry Library, and Northwestern University’s collaborative project.
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/
Check out Worlds of Prairie Avenue under Special Features to see an interesting way of integrating digitized maps with photographs and other source materials:
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10432.html

One of the unique features of XTF is that it can be downloaded and installed onto the desktop of any PC. The downloaded version comes loaded with sample texts in the different formats. Adding new texts and re-indexing the system are not terribly difficult. If anybody is interested in testing the capabilities of XTF for delivery of texts marked up in TEI or for other purposes, please feel free to contact me (jmbewley@buffalo.edu).