The access spectrum is a visualization of how Collections Management Systems are used in GLAM institutions (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) and how they enable users to better access to cultural heritage collections. Throughout this project 'back end' will refer to physical item management and 'front end' will refer to end-user accessibility of those items in a collection. 'Public' refers to software that creates projects that are accessible to anyone on the web. 'Internal' refers for software that helps institutions (academic or commercial) to create internal projects. 
 
One software may be very useful for cataloging items, but be unable to create web exhibits with linked open data. Another may not be able to safely store collection information long term but have the power to deeply connect web visitors with their collections. Placing a platform on the spectrum gives visitors a quick understanding of their core mission and breadth of services.

 

As the push to make cultural heritage accessible continues, institutions will need to reevaluate their digital strategy. Pressure, in turn, will fall upon CMSs (Collect Management Systems) to aid museums in seamlessly moving items from catalog to user. With this visualization tool, we hope to provide an overview of the strengths of various popular CMSs in aiding this transition.

 

As Museums and Digital Culture graduate students, we are concerned with building conceptual models for information. These designs must strive to make complicated troves of information approachable and engaging. We hope this model will help you visualize the field of technologies that enable collections to go from storage to public access.