FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2004

Press Contacts
202/606-8339 
Eileen Maxwell [log in to unmask]
Mamie Bittner [log in to unmask]

NISO, IMLS Announce Update of Framework for Good Digital Collections

WASHINGTON, DC - A new version of the Framework of Guidance for Building
Good Digital Collections is now freely available for download from the
National Information Standards Organization (NISO). The Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS) transferred maintenance of the
Framework to NISO in September 2003; the update is the first product of
NISO's advisory group formed to contribute to the document's further
development. 

The Framework provides a set of high-level principles for identifying,
organizing, and applying existing knowledge and resources to collections
of digital resources. For each category of Collections, Objects,
Metadata, and Projects, the Framework defines general principles
relating to quality and provides a list of supporting resources such as
standards, guidelines, best practices, explanations, discussions,
clearinghouses, and case studies. Originally prepared in 2001 under the
auspices of the IMLS, the Framework has earned wide recognition in the
library and museum communities and the endorsement of the Chief Officers
of State Library Associations as well as the Digital Library Federation.


NISO's advisory group that developed the update is composed of experts
from the digital resources community: Priscilla Caplan, chair (Florida
Center for Library Automation), Grace Agnew (Rutgers University),
Rebecca Guenther (Library of Congress), Ingrid Hsieh-Yee (Catholic
University), and Leonard Steinbach (Cleveland Museum of Art). The
Advisory Group will continue to aggressively reexamine the Framework.
Readers are invited to send their comments and suggestions to
[log in to unmask] on how to improve and expand the Framework. 

ABOUT NISO
NISO, a non-profit association accredited by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI), identifies, develops, maintains, and
publishes technical standards to manage information in our changing and
ever-more digital environment. NISO standards apply both traditional and
new technologies to the full range of information-related needs,
including retrieval, re-purposing, storage, metadata, and preservation.
NISO Standards, information about NISO's activities and membership are
featured on the NISO website http://www.niso.org. 

ABOUT IMLS
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent Federal
grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of
learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities. The
Institute fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by
supporting the nation's 15,000 museums and 122,000 libraries. The
Institute also encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit
of libraries and museums. To learn more about the Institute, please log
onto: http://www.imls.gov 

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Eileen Maxwell 
Public Affairs Specialist 
Institute of Museum and Library Services 
1100 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. 
Suite 510 
Washington, DC  20506 
202-606-8339 
202-606-8591 (fax) 
[log in to unmask] 
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