The VITA Toolkit is a digital collections software. It is a web-based, end-to-end solution for libraries, museums, archives, heritage and historical and other community groups looking to build, manage and display digital collections of images, newspapers, oral histories, indexes, 3D objects and more.
Every VITA account includes an easy to use data management system, with standards-based metadata temples, full site and record customization options, hosting, and a public-facing website for exhibiting your collections. All content is easy to search and is optimized for online discovery locally through customizable search sites and globally through other services like the OurOntario.ca portal, Digital Public Library of America and the Illinois Newspapers site.
Complete solution
- Web-based digital asset and record management
- Hosting and back up of digital files
- Fully customizable collection site
- Latest search, browse & discovery technologies
- Optimized web presence and automatic aggregation in other spaces
User Friendly
- Easy to use templates for every media type
- Standards-based metadata e.g. Dublin Core, LCSH, GeoNames, etc.
- Secure, tiered user accounts
- Online manuals, recorded webinars, and one-to-one email support
- Automatic aggregation
Engaging
- Crowdsource information with Mystery questions, contributions, comments and testimonials
- User interaction tools include social sharing, twitter cards, personal bookmarking, jigsaws, and electronic postcards
What’s different about VITA…
VITA was developed for the GLAM sector by a team who are historians, librarians, archivists and information technology specialists. The design philosophy and architecture behind VITA Toolkit is rooted in the networked information environment of open data and linked data. We’re invested in providing expertise to help your communities grow your identity and presence through increased visibility online, brand association, rights management, analytical data, powerful aggregation tools and hosted services.
Dynamic
- Responsive design means VITA works for you and your users on all different platforms
- Custom content management for groups, exhibits, timelines and more
- IIIF implementation for pan-zoom and rotate view of pages and images
- Standards-based records enhance browse options like subjects, last names, and geolocations
- OAI-PMH implementation for integration with other aggregator services like the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)
- Simple VITA API can help integrate your local history collection into the local library or other catalogues
Sustainable
- We are here to help with everything from grant proposals and project estimates to ongoing support for you and your team
- We host your collection content and updates the VITA software automatically, so your staff can focus on maintaining and promoting your digital collections
- The VITA community includes more than 150 organizations in Canada and the US
- VITA helps you fulfill your local history collections mandate – we provide monthly site traffic reports as well so you can track your online exposure and patronage