Study exploring the impact of online finding aids and factors affecting online finding aid publication in New Zealand

Abstract

This research project set out to determine the impact and influence of online finding aid publication in New Zealand and factors affecting online finding aid publication among community repositories. By virtue of using the survey method, and utilising quantification methodology, the project aimed to explore how much importance is attached to the creation of online finding aids at collecting repositories and to determine what factors have prevented repositories from putting more finding aids online to date. The research also compared online finding aids with 'traditional' finding aids in use. The results indicated that online finding aid publication is becoming mo:e prevalent among community archival repositories, and that more organisations were looking to go online with their finding aids in the future. This project also revealed a lumber of barriers to online publication, the most significant being a lack of funds,resources and time. Online finding aids are not yet replacing traditional finding aids, nit certainly they are complimenting and significantly enhancing existing finding aids at community repositories. They are also significantly promoting access and outreach