New England Collections Online (NECOL) is a collaborative effort of libraries, archives, museums, historical societies and other organizations to build a web-based centralized resource for locating historical, social, cultural, economic, and scientific resources related to New England. It is sponsored by NELINET. NELINET's role is to coordinate and manage the project, monitor standards, track technological changes, provide consulting, develop partnerships, and obtain and administer grant funds. NELINET is guided in this project by a Digital Services Advisory Committee composed of regional experts from member libraries. We also welcome feedback from you.

The development of NECOL is an initiative of the NELINET Board of Directors. In May 2001, Amy Benson was hired as project coordinator. The initial emphasis of the program is to identify potential content that exists throughout New England, and to inventory existing digital collections in the region. NECOL will also support projects related to digitization, storage, access, and general preservation of digitized materials. NECOL will create model projects for digitization of regional resources.

See also NELINET Digital Library Services, an article published in the Fall 2001 Liaison.

Benefits

NECOL will provide a portal to rich resources about the New England region located in libraries, museums, historical societies, and other institutions. The database will be built upon the traditional strengths of libraries and librarians to organize and provide access to knowledge. Through this collaborative effort, New England libraries will develop a significant research tool that will be of benefit to all of New England's citizens, from school-age children to college and university faculty. Special curricular materials could be made available for schools. Adult learners could discover information about the region on a wide range of topics from marine biology to genealogical research. University faculty would have at their disposal information they can incorporate into their teaching and their own research. People outside the region could have remote access to unique materials about New England.

Content

NECOL will create a dynamic online database with links to existing resources. The nature and format of the resources will include

• text, such as diaries, manuscripts, out-of-copyright publications,
• images, such as photographs, post cards, art images, sheet music, manuscript pages,
• sound files, such as musical performances and oral histories,
• video, such as film clips and virtual tours.

Due to copyright considerations, the primary content will be out-of-copyright materials.

Potential Participants

Content providers

• Academic, Public, Special, Corporate libraries
• Historical Societies
• Museums
• Corporations

Private collections will not be considered at this time.

Partners and Sponsors

• Government Agencies (State and Federal)
• Foundations
• Businesses
• Library Networks and Consortia

Funding

Initial funding is provided through NELINET's Special Initiatives Fund. NECOL is actively seeking grants for pilot projects, and capitol expenses. In the future, it is hoped that NECOL will be self-sustaining through membership or fees for service.

Contact Information

Amy Benson
Coordinator,
New England Collections Online
benson at nelinet.net
508.597.1937
800.635.4638 x1937

NELINET, Inc.
153 Cordaville Road
Suite 200
Southborough, MA 01772
800.635.4638

May 10, 2004