Research project NM/A/26 (Research action NM)
CONTEXT
The aim of the Pallas project is to achieve a computer application unified model of description for archives and records, so as to ensure the production of compatible, explicit and accurate descriptions; facilitate research and exchange of archive-related information and allow the integration of descriptions stemming from different archival services into a unified information system.
THE PROJECT
Description of the project
Pallas is an automated and integrated access and management system, developed mainly with archival services and documentation centres in mind. Like library systems, it enables the description, management and retrieval of documents by their formal characteristics and content. Unlike these systems, Pallas also offers tools to manage non-book materials such as archives and photos, taking their specific needs for description and consultation into account.
GOALS AND METHODOLOGY
In order to meet the descriptive requirements of the different document types and to enable international exchange with other systems, largely accepted standards were incorporated. The most important are ISAD(G) for archival descriptions, MARC AMC for the database structure, ISBD for the representation of non-archival descriptions, and APPM for a uniform representation. Technically, Pallas is essentially an Oracle-database system. It is a client-server system, but equally suitable for use through intra- or Internet; the OPAC (access interface) works with any web browser.
THE PARTNERS
- CEGES - SOMA (Centre d'Etudes et de documentation Guerre et Sociétés contemporaines - Studie- en documentatiecentrum Oorlog en hedendaagse Maatschappij)
- VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
- ULB (Université libre de Bruxelles)
- Amsab (Instituut voor sociale geschiedenis)
EXPECTED PRODUCTS AND RESULTS
The objective of the present project is to introduce the ISAD norm in the Belgian scientific institutions through the development of a computer application witch is user friendly and is being developed thought of widely accepted standards (e.g. Java as a programming language and html to represent the data). The device, based on the PALLAS system under development, will consist in a computer program and a database structure, which will:
a. allow the implementation of the ISAD by means of standard, readily available commercial software;
b. allow the uniform classification of data collected by record management departments;
c. contribute to the preservation of the scientific heritage contained in Belgian records and archives;
e. greatly facilitate the contacts and exchanges with similar European institutions.
The eventual objective of the project is, notably, to improve the communication of research-management related data between scientific institutions, on the one hand, and scientific research policy planning services, on the other hand.
SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATIONS
ICA- International Council on Archives / SUV - Section for Archives of Universities and Research Institutions
CASE - Co-operation on Archives of Science in Europe
VVBAD - Vlaamse Vereniging voor Bibliotheek- Archief en Documentatie
AUSTECH - Australian Science and Technology Heritage centre
USERS COMMITTEE
- V. Laureys (Belgian Senate Archives)
- A.Vandenbulcke (City of Brussel Archives)
- L. De Munck (Belgian Red Cross Archives)
- D. Guillardian (City of Brussel - Social services Archives)
- M. D’Hoore (Royal Library Belgium)
- M. Nelissen (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Archives)
PROMOTERS
Didier DEVRIESE
Université libre de Bruxelles
Unité de recherche "Théorie de l’archivistique"
CP170
Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50
B-1050 BRUXELLES
Tel: +32 2 650.35.66
Fax: +32 2 650.35.67
E-mail: Didier.Devriese@ulb.ac.be
Franck SCHEELINGS
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Pleinlaan 2, lok. 2B112
B-1050 BRUSSEL
Tel: +32 2 629.24.34
Fax: +32 2 629.23.96
E-mail: fscheeli@vub.ac.be
Patrick TEMMERMAN
Studie- en documentatiecentrum Oorlog en hedendaagse Maatschappijen
Residence Palace
Wetstraat 155, bus 2
B-1040 BRUSSEL
Tel: +32 2 287.48.11
Fax: +32 2 287.47.10
E-mail: patrick.temmerman@cegesoma.be
Application informatique de la norme “International Standard for Archival Description (G)” - Pallas : rapport final
Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2005 (SP1483)
[To download]
Application informatique de la norme “International Standard for Archival Description (G)” - Pallas : annexe
Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2005 (SP1484)
[To download]
