Built for archives by archivists, ArchivesSpace is the open source archives information management application for managing and providing web access to archives, manuscripts and digital objects.
ArchivesSpace is used to create finding aids, the primary online access tools used by researchers to search archival collections. Finding aids typically provide descriptions of collection contents; intellectual and historical context; inventories of containers, folders, and/or digital objects; and subject headings and names.
ArchivesSpace software is also used by library and archives staff for collections management purposes, such as creating accession records, storing donor information, tracking container locations, and running reports.
As a community supported software, ArchivesSpace is supported by institutional memberships. Membership fees are based on repository size. Members gain access to a listserv, limited technical support, and documentation.
For institutions that prefer not to self-host the software, several venders are available. Venders typically host the application on their servers, provide back-ups, run software updates, customize the home page, and provide technical support. At CUNY, the OLS office has negotiated consortial pricing with Lyrasis. Some CUNY Libraries also use LibraryHost.
Records created in ArchivesSpace can be harvested by CUNY OneSearch via scheduled OAI-PMH requests. This can be arranged through CUNY OLS.
