How can we help you?

Frequently asked questions

Find quick answers to the most common user questions

• Getting Started

  What deliverables are required?

  To publish a resource kit you will need to create at least 3 activities. To publish an ebook you need to have at least 3 pages of content.

  What’s the expected time commitment from our staff?

  There is no specific time estimate because it varies based on content, number of resources, and institution. Using the onboarding documents and compiling your resources and metadata in advance will save time.

  What types of museum staff do we need?

  There is no staff requirement because it varies based on content, number of resources, and institution. One staff person is sufficient if they have access to all the resources and content and can attach the metadata–that could be education, collections, or exhibit staff. If your institution has separate departments you can divide the tasks such as collecting files, collecting metadata, filling in a template, etc.

  Are there timelines or deadlines involved or do we work at our own pace?

  There are no timelines or deadlines to submit material; however, we do ask that you have completed resource kits before publishing them to the platform.

  Who uploads our content to the MDL platform?

  You do! We have found it is easiest to identify a point person who will do all of the uploading and creation of activities for a single resource kit.

  Is there a vetting or review process that we need to participate in before uploading our materials?

  Currently there is an informal review process. If you would like someone on the MDL team to review your materials for feedback, please contact us.
  In order to publish a resource kit, you must have at least three activities.
  We also ask that you do not share any content that is offensive.

  We are a non-collecting institution. Can we participate?

  Yes! You can participate with other digital assets such as educational material, exhibit panel text and graphics, or other institution-created materials.

  Do we receive reports on site use or any other analytics?

  Yes. We are using Google Analytics to track site usage and each museum will be able to see statistics on their kits, activities, and ebooks after logging in.

  Where do we go if we have questions?

  If you have a question that is not addressed in this FAQ, please use this form to contact us directly and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

  Can I provide feedback on the platform function and/or content creation?

  Yes. You can also use the contact us form to give suggestions.

• Creating Content

  Can we use resources that have already been created for our museum?

  Yes! You can certainly use content that is already available and it might save you time.

  What kinds of collection objects can I use?

  We encourage you to use a variety of collections objects that align well with the content including artifacts, audio/visual material, media, specimens, property or buildings, and other types.

  Are the museum staff providing the images and metadata info for the collections AND creating the interpretive/educational info as well, to fit into the MDL template?

  Everything is provided by you so that your images and metadata match to the interpretive content you add. No other institution will have access to using your resources.

  Are you able to provide more information about the process for putting together the Resource Kits, what format they take, and what information/materials MDL needs from our digital collections? How do I start creating a resource kit?

  We have provided templates for you to start organizing information and brainstorming ideas for activities.

  How do I start creating an ebook?

  We have ebook templates coming soon to help you create content for an ebook.

• Uploading your content

  How are resources uploaded?

  Once you are logged in to your museum account, go to the Media page using the left sidebar. At the top of that page there is an “Add Media” button where you can upload your media. To create an object from your media, go to the Object page and click on the “Create Object” button. Visit this page for a more detailed walkthrough.

  Can I add multiple images or metadata at once?

  Yes. From the Media page click on the “Add Media” button and you can add multiple media files at once by dragging and dropping them into the window or selecting the files from your computer. You can also add metadata for multiple objects by following the instructions in the Create Object window and selecting Multiple Objects.

  How much flexibility does a museum have once information is uploaded? For example, can we edit collections details or images if we have internal updates? Can we delete or replace existing Resource Kits that we’ve uploaded? Can I edit images, objects, resource kits, and ebooks once they are created?

  Yes. Content creators have quite a bit of flexibility when creating resource kits and ebooks. Images can be renamed for clarity. You can add alt text to images for accessibility. Activities, resource kits, and ebooks can be saved and edited at a later time. You can even unpublish a resource kit and make changes and republish.

• Requirements

  How many objects should we contribute to the platform? What types of objects should we add?

  It is suggested to only add the objects you will use in your materials. There is no right or wrong answer for the ideal number or type of objects as all the content is different. Consider looking at the other existing content and/or speak to educators to get suggestions.

  Is there a minimum number of activities required for each Resource Kit?

  Yes. A resource kit should have at least 3 activities to go live. This is recommended in order to provide robust resources that will be used by educators.

• Copyright

  Who owns the copyright to the content uploaded to MDL?

  All content, including associated copyrights and trademarks, uploaded to MDL is the property of the respective Participating Museums.

  Who is responsible for obtaining needed licenses to the content before it is uploaded to MDL?

  Participating Museums are responsible for ensuring the trademarks, copyrights, and any needed licenses of the content to be uploaded to MDL can be made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 license.

  For more information see the “Your License to Use the Content” in MDL’s Terms of Use.