Library and Archives Canada (LAC) invites everyone to transcribe, tag, translate and describe their digitized records, using the tool, Co-Lab.
LAC said, “Imagine transcribing handwritten letters like the one that Louis Riel wrote the day before his death to his wife and children, asking her ‘to make them pray for me.’ Canadians can help to unveil a great part of their history by using Co-Lab.”
Here’s how it works.
Take on a “challenge”
Choose a “challenge” to participate in. Explore a collection of images under the same theme. For example, you could explore all pages and photographs from Rosemary Gilliat Eaton’s diary about her trip to the Arctic. Every time you add a keyword to an image, the discoverability of the collection is enhanced. LAC will keep on adding new challenges, so let them know what you want to work on.
Open pictures
JPEG-format images in LAC’s collection are now open for you to add searchable keywords, add descriptions, and transcribe and translate content. Use the new harmonized viewer in our Collection SearchBETA to start contributing.
Create your profile
Take a couple of minutes to create your online profile. It is easy to use, and you will be able to track your contribution history.
Tutorial
Use LAC’s tutorial and start contributing, following a few short and easy steps. It will guide you through all of the features so you can become a contributor.
Increase searchability
You just contributed to an image? It will be soon be searchable through LAC’s Collection SearchBETA, making their unique collection more available to people around the world. You will find all search results with public contributions under the Co-Lab Content tab.
Try Co-Lab now, and tell LAC what you think.
