What is Open GLAM???
- GLAM is an acronym for Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums- also an umbrella term for Cultural Institutions and other holders of collections.
When did this happen?
The Open GLAM movement began to take shape around 2010. Here’s a brief timeline of key developments in its early years:
- 2009-2010: The concept of Open GLAM started to gain traction as a part of the broader open data and open access movements. The term “Open GLAM” was coined by the Open Knowledge Foundation to describe efforts to make cultural heritage materials available to the public under open licenses.
- 2011: The Open Knowledge Foundation launched the Open GLAM initiative, providing resources and advocacy for making cultural heritage materials freely accessible. This marked a significant step in organizing and promoting the idea of open access in the GLAM sector.
- 2012: The Open GLAM movement began gaining visibility with the publication of best practices and case studies demonstrating the benefits of open access for galleries, libraries, archives, and museums.
- 2013: The Open GLAM Code of Practice was introduced, offering guidelines for institutions to release their collections under open licenses and to engage with the open data and open knowledge communities.
These early initiatives laid the groundwork for the broader adoption of open access practices in the GLAM sector, which has continued to evolve and expand over the years.
Why does Creative Commons collaborate with Open GLAM?
Creative Commons collaborates with initiatives like Open GLAM to:
- Promote open access to cultural heritage
- Support the mission of cultural heritage organizations
- Share and preserve cultural artifacts
- To foster broader access and reuse
How does Creative Commons do this?
- CC Licensing– Providing clear and concise licensing framework that allows cultural institutions to incorporate use statements in addition to rights statements in adherence to their GLAM’s mission statement to their respective collections.
- Educational Resources– Through educational resources and guidance on how to effectively use open licensing to manage and share their collections, i.e., choosing the right CC license, integrating open licensing into collection management workflows, and how to address legal and ethical considerations related to open access.
- Advocating for Open Access– Encouraging the adaption of open licensing for their digital collections, allowing for wider dissemination, reuse, and preservation of cultural heritage materials. CC supports the mission of making cultural heritage more accessible to the public and promoting education, research, and creative endeavors.
- Community Involvement– Raising awareness about the benefits of open access and open licensing among GLAM professionals, policymakers, and the public. CC fosters a supportive environment for sharing best practices and addressing common challenges faced by GLAM institutions when implementing open access initiatives.