The Central NY Library Resources Council (CLRC) is the recipient of a 2015 Sparks! Ignition grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The award of $17,750 supports the statewide project, “Building HARMONY: the EADitor”. IMLS received 66 applications and selected 20 projects for funding. Building HARMONY: the EADitor will coordinate the upgrade and customization of an open source tool called the EADitor, which edits and publishes online archival finding aids using the EAD Document Type Definition generated through an XML-based form. This project customizes the tool for use in a consortial environment and serves as an essential building block in a larger initiative to build a repository and index for New York’s finding aids. In addition to the technical development of the tool, the project supports creation and implementation of a pilot training program that will explicate the use of the tool and align finding aids with local best practices and national standards. The entire project supports the further development of a national digital infrastructure by collecting and preparing materials for inclusion and use with any number of linked open data initiatives, including – but not limited to – Social Networks in Archival Context (SNAC) and the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA).
