PictureAustralia's Improved 'Request a Copy' Service
Kitchener's Last Request: 'Carry on!' c.1916
Australian War Memorial
ID ARTV05625
Hinting, Zoom Zoom Zoom c.2006
flickr, ID 173122857
PictureAustralia provides
one simple search of many pictorial collections, enabling access to nearly
1.2 million digitised photographs, artworks and artefactswhich
illustrate
The service started at the turn of the new millennium and has since gone from strength to strength. The statistics demonstrate that PictureAustralia is providing a useful service for researchers. In June 2006 alone, PictureAustralia received 1 803 206 page views.
Researchers can peruse thumbnail images and then request higher quality copies for either personal or commercial use by ordering them from the individual agencies that contribute to PictureAustralia. Feedback from PictureAustralia researchers highlighted that this aspect of the service needed improvement and was confusing given that so many collecting agencies now contribute their images. In response to this feedback the National Library developed a simple flow-through 'Request a Copy' model and presented it at the PictureAustralia participants' meeting in April 2006. The new model was passed unanimously and work began to produce it.
How It Works
Under each thumbnail image is 'Request a Copy' link pointing to a page with the image details and information required for requesting copies from that collection. The link to that collecting agency's particular request form is on the same page. Users are generally required to supply the title, creator and image number. Many of the 'Request a Copy' forms are designed to automatically insert this information to expedite the ordering process.
Access to Contemporary Images in PictureAustralia Through flickr
PictureAustralia researchers
can now find over 5000 images from flickr in PictureAustralia which cover
a broad range of people, places and events from
How to Order Copies of Images From flickr
To search for flickr images go to PictureAustralia's 'Advanced Search' and select 'flickr' under 'All Agencies' to see this recent and vibrant addition to the collection. Participants can also use the 'Request a Copy' link for flickr images. This link takes you to the login screen on the flickr website. In order to communicate with flickr members you need to login or create your own free Yahoo! ID, which will give you access to a free flickr account. Follow Yahoo!'s instructions to create your ID and access your flickr account.
Once you have logged into your own account in flickr, you will be able to search for flickr members using the 'People Search' function, which you can find at the bottom of the screen under the 'Explore' heading. You can send the photographer an email, requesting permission to use their image and asking them for a higher resolution copy. Generally flickr members respond quickly to these requests and are happy for their images to be used.
The 'Request a Copy' statistics suggest that users are responding positively to the new system, with participants receiving over 1367 requests within the first few weeks of the service's operation. Please contact us with any comments or suggestions by emailing pictaust@nla.gov.au. We would love to hear your ideas for linking people to pictures.
Fiona Hooton
PictureAustralia