AMICO Users & Uses Committee
University Testbed
Frequently Asked Questions
Version 1.0
Contents
Contents of the Library
Access to the Library
Uses of the Library and the License
Further Information
How much "deep data" will be available during the testbed year?
Much less deep data (beyond a catalog record and image for each work of art) will be available in the Testbed year than we feel is desirable. It is recognized by AMICO members that the Testbed Library was collected rapidly, and that further documentation of works in that Library is desirable. The Testbed will, we hope, help to define what further information would be most useful and to whom.
Will there be media other than text and images in the deep data and if so, how much?
Over time there will be sound files, structured text and free text, motion images, CAD and other kinds of files associated with works of art. In the testbed year there are, unfortunately, few files other than images, and few involving light sources outside the visible light range. AMICO hopes that it will nevertheless learn from users what they can do, or want to do, with these other data types and will be able to provide them in future years.
Who, at the museums, is actually doing the work of creating The AMICO Library? In particular, who is creating the "deep data?"
AMICO records are collections of information created by numerous people in different departments. It is hoped that over time, nearly all the staff of museum members (especially museum educators) will play a role in creating AMICO data. Today most of the data comes from collections management systems, photographic systems and curators, with some input from publications departments.
Will illuminated manuscripts and illustrated books be part of The AMICO Library?
In principle, absolutely. Currently the Library does not contain many such works, but collections of member institutions do, and undoubtedly the Library will have such materials in due course.
How will the search engine work? Will I be able, for example, to find all the objects from Giza at the Museum of Fine Arts?
Each distributor provides their own search tools. In the planned RLG Museum Record Service, the question of objects from a geographical location held by a given museum can be asked.
How will non-historical subject searches be facilitated? For example, if a historian wanted to research images of ancient food preparation, would they be able to do it?
The AMICO Library will be indexed by artist, title, object type, materials and other categories of information typically documented by art scholars. These do not include all the intellectual perspectives that might be of interest to scholars in other fields. AMICO is very interested in encouraging feedback from users about the kinds of indexing that would benefit them and also in incorporating into The AMICO Library access points provided by academic users. Requirements of this kind, and mechanisms for supporting them, are under exploration in the University Testbed.
Uses of the Library and the License
Will students who create work using AMICO images be able to exhibit the work? If so, where?
Students will be able to submit papers which incorporate AMICO works as part of their class assignments. They may modify works in the context of studio art courses or elsewhere when there are concrete educational objectives in doing so. In recognition of the moral rights of the artists, they must retain links to the original work of art. Without obtaining further permissions from the copyright holder, modifications may only be exhibited for other designated users at the licensing institution, for example as part of a graduating show at the university art gallery.
Will students and faculty who create work using AMICO images be able to sell the work?
Not without obtaining additional permissions from the rights holders. No commercial uses of AMICO works are permitted under the license.
At what point in the process of manipulation of AMICO images does the result cease to be an AMICO image and become an original work of art?
No one can answer this question except by saying that an original work of art embodies creativity on the part of the artist. AMICO urges artists to respect the moral rights of other artists.
What is the best way to direct questions/comments/requests to AMICO?
Inquiries should be posted to the discussions at the University Testbed web site at:
http://members.amico.org/univ_testbed/
There are discussions on University Users and Uses, Licensing and Rights, and Library Structure and Delivery. Members of AMICO and representatives of RLG will be monitoring these discussions and will respond to queries there.
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