Quick video on how to critically examine information online.
Direct link to "Evaluating Information Online" in MSU Mediaspace
Video credit: Emilia Marcyk
As a visual catalog, DS allows scholars to verify with their own eyes cataloging information about places and dates of origin, scripts, artists, and quality. Special emphasis is placed on the touchstone materials: manuscripts signed and dated by their scribes.
DS records manuscripts that traditionally would have been unlikely candidates for reproduction. It fosters public viewing of materials otherwise available only within libraries. Because it is web-based, it encourages interaction between the knowledge of scholars and the holdings of libraries to build a reciprocal flow of information."
Created in 1946, ICOM is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) maintaining formal relations with UNESCO and having a consultative status with the United Nations' Economic and Social Council.
As a not-for-profit organisation, ICOM is financed primarily by membership fees and supported by various governmental and other bodies. It carries out part of UNESCO's programme for museums. Based in Paris (France), the ICOM Headquarters houses both the ICOM Secretariat and the UNESCO-ICOM Museum Information Centre.
The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development."
The IMLS site lists several online and/or download-able pdfs about its research, programs, grants, awards, conferences, etc.
IMLS News is an online newsletter that contains brief articles that alert readers to new information about grants, monthly highlights of best practices, and important agency news with links to more detailed information on the Web site. Individuals may subscribe by registering at https://www.imls.gov/news/subscribe.
Museum Data Files
This site from the IMLS provides a comprehensive list of known museums in the United States. You can download the information as a CSV (coma separated value) or XLS (spreadsheet) file.
The database has information on art objects, rare books, the history of collecting and contemporary and historical market needs. Catalogs for sales range from the late sixteenth century to scheduled auctions not yet held. Records include the dates and places of sales, the auction houses, sellers, institutional holdings, and titles of works.