Library information provider OCLC Research, US, has announced that work is currently underway to transition the ArchiveGrid database of archival collection descriptions from a subscription service to a free service on a new interface developed and managed by the organisation.
A beta version of the new interface developed by OCLC Research is available at no charge at http://beta.worldcat.org/archivegrid/. This beta has been designed to support OCLC's efforts to expand support for this type of data, engaging with the library/archive community to create more sustainable ways to grow the collection of data and represent it appropriately in WorldCat.
Beginning in November 2012, OCLC will no longer require authentication (by IP address or logon account) to use the stand-alone ArchiveGrid subscription service at http://archivegrid.org. This will provide easier access to and better syndication of ArchiveGrid and its collections to search engines like Google. By December 2012, the OCLC Research version of ArchiveGrid will transition from its current beta status to a production service. The OCLC Research version of ArchiveGrid will replace the http://archivegrid.org interface in January 2013.
It is believed that this new direction for ArchiveGrid marks a great opportunity to broaden contribution, participation, utility, and visibility of this unique and important collection of resources. A list of current contributors to the ArchiveGrid collection is available at http://beta.worldcat.org/archivegrid/.
