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DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVES BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY: A CASE STUDY Alan Morris, B.A. (Hons )., M.A. A thesis subn1itted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF WOL VERHAMPTON in collaboration with BIRMINGHAM LIBRARY SERVICES !'"--~ "'~--~J ':-;-; avc~'7~~--1 tf\1 ~~~ r. fJ \j •.t • ~_ ,.. .'~,.:... , tEAi~f"'::; HC"~""i ",'.' "',,:: ; ~ .. ~..~~~ ~:::..'-~:::~:.~~~~ .. '.~... _-,;~':~ -. ~ ~<tIl March 2001 ~':';I../~O·rI ) n 1'."J\0~ i : . c~. 2: 48.L 2 i1R~(i""i - ';;~t;·'iT.cC .,. _'''' __• __ , ..1 Co u..~...g, :I"., ~~OCJ IJ I,?VJP I 31. MAY ~'Ol,2 1 \ ~ /\/! I L~_. __ ~_~ •.\"" "',._ ._,.~ __.~ D x I" (~ '--\. ", -, 1. 7 \) X '-:::. '")... L l4- \ This work or any part thereof has not previously been presented in any form to the University or to any other body whether for the purposes of assessment, publication or for (my other purpose (unless otherwise indicated). Save for any express acknowledgements, rdl'rl'lll-l'~ and bibliographies cited in the work, I confirm that the intellectual content of the work is the result of my' own efforts and of no other person. Ihe right of Abn Morris to be identified as author of this work is asserted in accordance with ~~.77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. At this date copyright is llwned by the duthor. I t\ldrch 2001 DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVES BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY: A CASE STUDY ALAN MORRIS 2001 ABSTRACT This thesis considers the use and potential of digital technologies for those responsible for photographic collections in public libraries. Using the Birnlingham Central Library as a case study, the research has explored how information comn1unication technologies have impacted on the way in which photographic in1ages are created, stored and disseminated. The study provides an overview of both the British library service and the role of archives within this public provision. Following an examination of the characteristics of digital nledia and a range of issues relating to the preservation, dissemination and economic exploitation of photographic il1aterials in digital form, the thesis goes on to adopt a variety of research strategies, including a number of empirical projects used to assimilate infornlation relating to the practical application of information communication technologies by those working in public libraries. The major outcolne of the research, identified in the later sections of the thesis, has been to n1ake a unique contribution to the field of knowledge relating to the provision of digital resources by those responsible for photographic collections residing in archives within public libraries in the United Kingdom. The conclusions to emerge from the theoretical and l'lnpirical research contribute to knowledge by providing current information about the utilisation of digital technologies for the purposes of enhancing access to photographic material held within public library archives, whilst also considering possible future developlnents relating to the area of investigation. CONTENTS Page List of Appendices VI Acknowledgements Vll Glossary of Definitions and Abbreviations Vlll Introduction 2 Chapter One: Libraries and Archives 1.1 Introduction 30 1.2 An Overview of the History 32 of the British Library Service 1.3 Public Libraries: a contemporary 41 overview 1.4 Archives 53 1.5 Birmingham Library Service 62 1.6 Conclusion 68 Chapter Two: Digital Photographic Technologies 2.1 Introduction 73 2.2 Characteristics of digital media 74 ill 2.3 The evolution of digital media 78 2.4 Digital media and photography 90 2.5 Preservation 97 2.6 Dissemination 104 2.7 Copyright 112 2.8 Markets 119 2.9 Conclusion 129 Chapter Three: Photography at Birmingham Central Library 3.1 Introduction 139 3.2 Photography and the Birmingham Library 140 Service: An Overview 3.3 Research Strategies and Resources 151 3.4 Conclusion 168 Chapter Four: Case Studies 4.1 I11troduction 173 4.2 Background 174 4.3 Pilot Web Site 180 Brief 183 Evolution 184 Summary 185 4.4 lute/face 187 Brief 189 Evolution 190 IV Summary 192 4.5 Coming to Light Web Site 194 Brief 195 Evolution 196 Summary 200 4.6 Images of Transition 202 Brief 202 Evolution 204 Summary 205 4.7 Conclusion 206 Chapter Five: Digital Technologies and the Birmingham Library Service 5.1 Introduction 216 5.2 Users 222 5.3 Funding 236 5.4 Production 251 5.5 Mediation 272 5.6 Conclusion 291 Chapter Six: Conclusion 296 Appendices 316 Bibliography 335 v LIST OF APPENDICES Page Appendix 1 Coming to Light programme Users Questionnaire 317 Appendix 2 History Van web-site Discussion Paper 318 Appendix 3 Birmingham Libraries / Assist Research Project 320 Appendix 4 Coming to Light Multimedia Project Draft Outline 322 Appendix 5 Report of Coming to Light meeting 23 July 1997 327 Appendix 6 Images of Transition Draft Outline Paper 331 Appendix 7 Images of Transition Letter to possible participants 334 Appendix 8 Copy of Coming to Light programme CD Rom VI ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research would not have been possible without the support of many individuals representing a number of organisations. I am particularly grateful for the help and assistance given by the staff within the Birmingham Library Service, notably that offered by John Dolan, Martin Flynn, Brian Gambles, Nicholas Kingsley, Robert Ryland, Richard Albutt, Tony Barrett, Marguerite Joynes, Paul Taylor, Andrea Bembridge and Anthony Blagg. For their assistance in the compilation of the Coming to Light research and the material relating to the museum's collections I would like to thank Jane Farrington and Ian Harrison at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and Ann McNeil, Director of Photo 98. I would also like to thank Harold Matuso of the Birmingham City Council Equalities Department for his help with the Images of Tra1lsition project, along with his city colleagues in the Assist office, Andy Mabbett and Des Farrington. For their contribution to the realisation of aspects of the empirical work I am grateful of the help given by the staff and students at the Birmingham University School of Computer Sciences, Bob Hendley, Mark Robbins and Oliver Harvey. I am also appreciative of the support of the the staff and students at the University of Wolverhampton, notably Nick Hedges, Ian Madeley, Dave Ashley, Matthew Jones, Andy Sloane and Peter Burgess. The help and commitment of Jurgis Lucas and Jasmin Baig at Photopack undoubtedly contributed to the success of the Coming to Light initiative, as did the support offered by Alan Dunn, Gary Denham and the late Andy Hughes at Dunns Professional Imaging. For their insights into the practical application of digital technologies I would like to thank Judah Passow and Robert Morris. During the latter stages of the research I have had the support of both my colleagues and students on the BA(Hons) Photography course at Blackpool and the Fylde College. I would like to thank Dave Dennison, Gordon Read, Geoff Clarke, Irene Lumley, Ian Aitkinson, Jackie Taylor, Paul Birtwell and Mary Hill. For their comments and guidance during the earlier stages of the research I would like to thank Nigel and Janice Morris. Although I have had support from a wide range of individuals representing a nllluber of interests, it is fair to say that this document would not have been completed had it not been for the efforts of my three" supervisors," Michael Green, John Fraser and Peter James. Their generous help, hard work and advice throughout the duration of this project has been constant. For their recoll1ll1endations at the close of the research I would like to thank Martin Lister and Ed Bird, mv two exall1iners. Closer to home thanks also to Charlie, Fvnn and Anya, all o~f whom have been conceived and grown up during the lifetilne of this, daddy's" other" baby! Finally, special thanks are reserved for my partner, Sarah Galloway, whose unfailing support, patience and encouragement will always be gratefully and fondl v rell1enlbcred. Vll Glossary of Definitions and Abbreviations ARPA United States Department of Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency BAPLA British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies BBC British Broadcasting Corporation BLRIC British Library Research and Innovation Centre BLS Birmingham Library Services BMAG Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery BST British Summer Time CCD Charged Coupled Device CD Compact Disc CDI Compact Disc Interactive CD ROM Conlpact Disc Read Only Memory CEO Chief Executive Officer CERN Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire (European Laboratory for Particle Physics) CLIR Council on Library and Information Resources CNPC Committee of National Photographic Collections CPA Commission on Preservation and Access DNH Department of National Heritage DVD Digital Versatile Disc EARL Electronic Access to Resources in Libraries ECPA European Commission on Preservation and Access EDD Economic Development Department EDT Eastern Daylight Tinle ELDA European Laser Disc Association eLlS Electronic Libraries Programme Vlll EU European Union FTP File Transfer Protocol HE Higher Education HELIX Higher Ed uca tion Library for Image Exchange HLF Heritage Lottery Fund HTML Hypertext Mark-up Language HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol ICT Informa tion Communica tion Technology IP Internet Protocol IRA Irish Republican Army ISDN Integrated Services Data Network ISO In terna tional Standards Organisation IT Information Technology JISC Joint Information and Services Committee LIC Library and Information Commission MIDRIB Medical Images: Digitised

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