Volume 53, Issue 2

The presence of modernization in Indonesia is supported by several factors, one of which is the railway network. Unfortunately, despite its importance in Indonesian history, the first terminus in Indonesia – namely, Semarang Station – has almost been forgotten. Conservation efforts are needed to describe the architectural evolution of Semarang Station, which can provide a lens to see the adaptation efforts in the development process and the global impact of the establishment of a railway network in the colony. Moreover, digital reconstruction as architectural preservation is necessary to convey the station’s historical value. Given the limited access and scarcity of architectural drawings for Semarang Station, textual sources were used to validate the information from the visual sources. The digitalization of visual data produced 2D objects that were used as the basis for making 3D models; these 2D objects were identified using textual data to see the relationship between their architectural transformation and the events related to the building. The findings of the architectural morphology analysis were then used as data to produce the 3D models, which were the main target of the digital reconstruction. The result of this process is a reconstruction of the morphology of the Semarang Station that demonstrates its historical value.

In this study we investigate the implementation and challenges of accessing archives in the digital age. Through an online survey and expert interviews, data were collected from archival institutions, professional users, and civil society organizations in all Council of Europe member states. The findings reveal that digitization has had a positive impact on document accessibility, providing convenience, reducing workload, and improving user access. However, only a small portion of archival holdings have been digitized, highlighting the need for further efforts in this area. Data protection and copyright present significant obstacles, with the European General Data Protection Regulation leading to access restrictions and legal uncertainties. Preservation, interoperability, and organization of records pose challenges in the digital realm, and while artificial intelligence shows promise in automating metadata creation and identifying sensitive materials, concerns about algorithmic biases and the need for additional checks are highlighted. To enhance accessibility, user-friendly interfaces, cooperation among memory preserving institution, and outreach to new user groups are crucial, which can ensure the effective preservation and accessibility of digital collections in the digital age. We provide insights for policy-making and archival institutions in navigating the evolving landscape of accessibility.

Participatory Design (PD) is a complex approach to designing products, services, or systems that actively involve the people who use, will use, or will be impacted by the design process. This article explores the use of blockchain to improve upon key challenge areas in PD, with a series of foundational premises proposed to address three specific areas (power dynamics, trust, and participation) where existing PD literature has identified challenges to successful PD administration. Blockchain technology may help to improve outcomes in these areas, and provide a platform for successful PD administration that is superior to those used for PD projects today. Specific uses for blockchain in PD initiatives are illuminated, along with corresponding benefits that may enhance the outcomes of PD initiatives.

The relevance of examining modelling methods in academic electronic libraries is justified by the need to understand the library’s structure and ensure its operation in technological terms. The purpose of this study is to analyse the applied modelling methods for electronic libraries serving Kazakhstani and international higher education institutions. The study employed basic (structural, comparative-comparative) and additional (analytical-synthetic, graphical) methods. During this study, it was found that the main modelling methods for modern electronic libraries include the following: conceptual with the establishment of a clear hierarchy between objects of the electronic library and attributes of search queries, logical using search categorisation, informational employing the semantic principle of material construction and systemic-functional ensuring a balance between functions, structure, technologies and the management system. In particular, after modelling the structure of Kazakhstani, British and American digital libraries at universities, it was determined that the Yale University Electronic Library Collection is built on the method of logical modelling, the Electronic Library at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University uses the systemic-functional method, the Cambridge University Electronic Library employs the informational method and the Al-Farabi Library uses the conceptual method.

The study supplements manuscript digitization, which often overlooks owners’ role in manuscript literacy, highlighting their integral connection to preservation efforts. This is particularly relevant concerning Ambon manuscripts in the former Hitu kingdom. The study’s primary objective is to discern optimal practices for sustainable preservation, emphasizing the community owners not as passive entities but as individuals possessing significant knowledge and skills, competencies which can be effectively employed to safeguard and uphold manuscripts. The data collection process encompassed comprehensive literature reviews on digital manuscript collections, interviews with owners, focus group discussions (FGD) involving the younger generation of heirs, FGD with Ambon manuscript researchers at IAIN Ambon, and observations on manuscripts and cultural practices within the community. The findings reveal notable aspects such as: 1) degradation occurs in Ambon manuscripts, both in their physical state and the transmission of knowledge post-digitization, which underscores a deficiency in knowledge transfer between manuscript users and owners, representing an ethical responsibility; 2) within Ambon society, old houses function as literacy centers for the community. Given the substantial quantity of manuscripts, these houses should be recognized as scriptoria and serve as foundational points for manuscript-based literacy development; and 3) traditional practices within owner communities indicate that manuscript knowledge/literacy extends beyond basic reading and writing skills. It encompasses a holistic and comprehensive understanding of knowledge, including its relevance to daily life, categorization, origins, literacy, preservation skills (particularly caring and copying), and utilization (for legitimacy, anticipation/conflict resolution, and even economic purposes).