Volume 54, Issue 1

The research addresses the problem of degradation of documents with iron gall inks and the use of Fiji’s ImageJ software to analyse corrosion. This program is considered a valuable tool to complement inspection protocols by allowing quantitative analysis of support losses and halos in inked areas. With the use of the DStretch plug-in effective results are achieved in the recovery of illegible texts, even in very degraded documents. The methodology is applied to sixteenth century documents in the Archivo Histórico Provincial de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, obtaining both qualitative and quantitative data on degradation. The results obtained indicate the need for periodic inspections and document restoration actions. The use of this software complements the information in the inspections to make decisions about the affected documents.

Digital preservation inherently involves multigenerational projects, necessitating consideration of intergenerational justice. However, there have been few discussions about this topic in the field of digital preservation. This study aimed to lay the groundwork for future theoretical research by investigating the concept of generativity proposed by Erikson. It specifically investigates the factors that influence individuals’ willingness to donate personal photographs to preservation institutions, with a particular focus on generativity. The results indicate that, while shared and loss experiences have a greater influence, generativity also has a significant impact on individuals’ attitudes towards photo donation. The results suggest that an intergenerational perspective is indeed applicable and valuable for digital preservation.

The purpose of this study is to explore the utility of generative AI technologies in creating oral history metadata. In particular, we will explore its ability to create descriptive metadata, specifically the Dublin Core description field, for oral histories that have existing transcripts. The oral history context this research is situated in is LGBTQ+ oral histories from three repositories in the United States. Research participants with knowledge of the area of library and archival science ( N =14) will rate the AI-generated description created by ChatGPT 4 compared to the description created by hand, and describe qualitatively why one is better than the other. Results indicate that users prefer the AI-generated description 51.2 % of the time, compared to preferring the descriptive metadata created by a human 26.2 % of the time and being undecided about which is preferable 21.4 % of the time. Despite research that indicates that AI can reflect the bias of the datasets used to train it, we found that the AI created culturally-appropriate content 80.4 % of time compared with 75.6 % of the time when created by a human. The use of ChatGPT 4 is recommended as a tool to analyze interview transcripts to create descriptive metadata for oral histories documenting the LGBTQ+ community, although the content should be reviewed before being provided to users.

The article presents a perspective on online museum design by conducting a systematic review. The study aims to synthesize key findings related to online museums, focus on issues related to design as well as identify priority areas for further research in the design of online museums. The systematic review process followed the guidelines outlined in the PRISMA 2020 recommendations to select relevant articles. A search was conducted in the Web of Science database with the specific topic of “online museum design.” A total of 148 publications published between 2019 and 2023 were identified and selected for the review. A keywords map was generated based on the bibliographic data of the selected articles. By conducting a systematic review of publications from the Web of Science database, the study identifies five clusters of research in online museum design. These clusters cover topics such as visitor behavior, accessibility, authenticity, immersive technologies, and technology adoption. The findings highlight key aspects of design that impact user engagement, cultural heritage, virtual reality, and the intersection of technology and tourism. The review also includes a case study of online museums representing various types of artifacts, including historical and cultural heritage, art, science, nature, clothing, and museums for children. Overall, the systematic review provides valuable insights for researchers, practicing designers, and museum professionals involved in creating and curating online museum experiences. Further research involves a review of publications using other scientific databases, as well as using the term “virtual museum” for a wider coverage of publications in this direction.

In the digital age, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have emerged as powerful allies in promoting and preserving heritage sites. Focusing on the unique heritage of Bishnupur, West Bengal, India, this manuscript investigates the intricate interplay between social media and these cultural treasures. Through a comprehensive analysis of engagement metrics such as likes, shares, and comments, the study uncovers the nuanced dynamics of how online audiences connect with heritage sites. Platform-specific strategies are identified as essential for tailoring content to the strengths and preferences of each social media platform’s user base. The study also reveals the organic emergence of vibrant communities of heritage enthusiasts who unite to share their passion, experiences, and advocacy. The research emphasizes social media’s key role in promoting heritage sites and provides practical insights for optimizing platform-specific strategies, contributing to the discourse on preserving cultural heritage in the digital age.

With the arrival of the information digitalization era, the dissemination of culture breaks the limitations of time and space, ushering in new opportunities. With China’s emphasis on the digital preservation of intangible culture heritage (ICH), the use of mobile phone applications to disseminate ICH has become more relevant. Mobile phone application appeals to young users with its convenient and personalised customized operation. It combines technology with cultural heritage and has advantages over traditional media in terms of recording and dissemination. Inheritors are an important part of China’s ICH protection and the core of the survival of folk crafts, of which the younger generation is an important force. This article provides an example of qualitative research on the use of apps for ICH learning in a university classroom. The use of apps as a tool for self-learning of ICH by the younger generation was used to raise their awareness of local cultural heritage and sustainable development issues, and to motivate teachers and students to preserve and disseminate local culture. The results of the study suggest that mobile phone applications are useful and effective self-learning tools for the younger generation to acquire knowledge and understanding of local ICH.

Cultural heritage encompasses the accumulation of both tangible and intangible assets left behind by a nation in the past and it is increasingly drawing the attention of researchers from various disciplines. The realm of cultural heritage tourism has witnessed transformative opportunities in travel modes due to disruptive innovations in interaction design. However, there is a paucity of comprehensive reviews on relevant studies. Therefore, there is a need for research that presents a thorough exploration of interaction design in cultural heritage tourism and outlines future research prospects. To address this gap, the current study utilizes CiteSpace software to conduct visual and quantitative analyses on 168 papers retrieved from the SCIE, SSCI, and AHCI indices on the Web of Science platform from the first publication in 2001 to the year 2023. The outcomes of this research offer a systematic summary, comprehensive categorization, and innovative perspectives and directions for future studies on the application of interaction design in cultural heritage tourism.