Manitoba Libraries Conference

In archival collections, photographs have the ability to convey emotions and therefore hold a special place in archival collections. But while most archival images remain in vaults, our society has an insatiable appetite for images and photos have never been more ubiquitous. Archives are having to do more with less and find themselves in a context of stagnant or decreasing funding and are expected to provide fast, free, and digital service. In this reality, how can archives provide significant access to their images? The MAID project shows a creative approach.
The MAID (Mennonite Archival Image Database) is a new collaborative approach. Seven Canadian Mennonite archival institutions launched this new site in March 2015, based on the open source AtoM archival database. This project helps partners maintain intellectual control of their photo holdings and allows users unprecedented access to rare archival photos.
MAID has facilitated new connections. By pooling resources and skills, institutions have forged a new partnership. New users are finding the site and “purchasing” images because the images are impactful. New donors are contacting us, offering their photos for our holdings and to be part of MAID. New avenues for promotion have become available.
This paper will narrate MAID’s origins, development, implementation, challenges, and successes.