Powered by Recollect, a robust content management system designed specifically for cultural institutions, the UNE Collections Gateway enables researchers, students, and members of the community to digitally access records on tens of thousands of physical objects.
Julie McCarthy, Manager of UNE's Library and Archives Collections, explains that the Collections Gateway brings all the benefits of digital systems to analog, tied-to-place collections.
"The physicality of our collections has been a barrier limiting the reach and utility of these valuable resources," Julie says.
"It used to be that anyone wanting to access the collections had to lodge a manual request and wait for it to be fulfilled by a member of the access team. Now over 8000 items from our collections are discoverable online. Thousands more can be requested via our Copy Services or via in-house access.”
"Through the Collections Gateway, users can now search, access, and incorporate digitised materials into their research or personal projects from anywhere in the world, at any time."
Old materials, new insights
The Gateway provides access to a wide and eclectic range of materials, including:
- The University of New England and Regional Archives – material relating to the social history of the New England regions, and the history of UNE and its precursor institutions.
- Museum of Antiquities: where researchers can also link out to 3D scans of archaeological artefacts held by the Museum accessible through the Pedestal platform, allowing detailed virtual examination of ancient objects.
- Campbell Howard Collection: Theatre Scripts, Theatre playbills and programmes chronicling Australian performing arts history.
- Hoddinott Collection: Rare recordings of Aboriginal languages – a unique archive of Australia's Indigenous linguistic heritage.
- Gordon Athol Anderson Music Collection: Musical manuscripts and materials.
- Rare books held by UNE's Dixson Library, including significant historical texts.
Dr Katy Sentas, the Archive’s Digital Collection Curator, observes that digitising the University's collections through the Recollect system opens up possibilities for enriching the collections through user knowledge.
The platform's "suggest an edit" feature allows users to contribute their expertise and insights to collection items, building further context and understanding of the artefacts.
"This collaborative approach transforms the collections from fixed historical snapshots into dynamic, growing resources that reflect the collective knowledge of their users," Katy says.
"Academic researchers can add scholarly context, family historians can contribute genealogical connections, and community members can share cultural knowledge — all while maintaining the integrity of the original materials."
Attention to Authenticity
The Gateway also ensures that users are accessing authenticated material. Every item has been authenticated by professional archivists, ensuring researchers and students can cite materials with confidence at a time when authenticity is under challenge.
An additional layer of rigour is provided by protocols that ensure materials are appropriately accessed. Access is tiered according to its origin and the user's credentials.
Public tier: Fully open and downloadable materials.
Public, but only available on request: Accessible with simple request processes.
Protocols apply: Access restrictions tailored to specific conditions.
Built for Research, Study, and Discovery
The Gateway includes tools designed specifically for academic work. Full citations are automatically generated for accessed materials; users can create and save personal collections for ongoing research; and a copy service (with free tiers for academics and students) can be accessed for copying work as needed.
"UNE's collections have supported enquiries from people from all walks of life in the past," says Julie.
"Now that the collections are digitised through Recollect, we hope that many, many others are going to discover this wonderful resource."
"Whether you're an academic researcher seeking primary sources, a student exploring historical materials for coursework, or a family historian piecing together your ancestral stories, the Collections Gateway transforms how we engage with our past."
Explore the Collections Gateway: https://collections.une.edu.au
