A Digital Network for University Collections – Berlin University Alliance

There are more than 90, partly unique, collections know to the Berlin universities. These collections are usually created within research activities or as a basis for teaching. Their variety provides a basis for subject history, history of science, cultural history and collection research. Most collections are held at the associated institutes. The networking between the collections is still not very organized and therefore currently in development.

The partner institutions of the Berlin University Alliance collaborate to evaluate IT systems and digital strategies while keeping in mind the various perspectives of scientific use, the networking and development of their collections. As a result, recommended procedures have been developed and now provide a basis for sustainable infrastructure within the collections of the universities.

The first phase of the project (until April 2024) was used to create networks among the members, evaluating software solutions and trying out various scenarios for digitization. The collection platform is now available as a portal for research within the Berlin collections.

A „Digital Network for University Collections“ task force was created in 2024 to support collections during their digitization process, plan events and enhance the collection platform.

Results and insights into the case studies are documented on the project weblog.

The project is supported by the Coordination Centre for Scientific University Collections in Germany. Its national and international expertise is important for creating a comprehensive structure for recording collections.

„Digital Networks for University Collections“ is part oft he „Sharing Resources“ field of the Berlin University Alliance. Its goal is to make information and resources accessible and using the collections at the best possible conditions.

Project management

Dr. Yong-Mi Rauch (Representative of collections, HU)
yong-mi.rauch@ub.hu-berlin.de

Dr. Stefanie Klamm (Collections management, Freie Universität)
klamm@ub.fu-berlin.de

Dr. Oliver Zauzig (Collections management, Humboldt-Universität)
oliver.zauzig@hu-berlin.de

Jürgen Christof (Director of the Library, Technische Universität)
juergen.christof@tu-berlin.de

Beate Kunst  (Acting director of the Museum of Medical History, Charité)
beate.kunst@charite.de  

Team

Dr. Meike Knittel (Collection networking and Communication)
meike.knittel.1@hu-berlin.de

Dr. Michael Müller (IT-Infrastructure)
michael.mueller@hu-berlin.de

Julian Seeberger (Digitization of collections and knowledge management)
julian.seeberger@hu-berlin.de