Digital objects objects are computer files that can be uploaded into and displayed by AtoM; they can include scanned images, digital photographs, sound and moving image files, and other scanned or born-digital items. AtoM allows the user to link a single digital object to an archival description or an an authority record, or import multiple digital objects to new lower levels of description. In AtoM, there is a 1:1 relationship between a digital object and an information object - meaning every digital object must be associated with an archival description, typically at the file or item level (see level of description), or an authority record.
Only one digital object can be linked to an archival description at a time. If you wish to upload or link multiple digital objects, you will need to create lower levels of description. AtoM includes a workflow to automate the creation of these lower levels - see Upload multiple digital objects to archival descriptions for more information.
Navigate to the view page of an existing authority record in AtoM. You can do this by browsing or by searching for a specific authority record - see Access content for more information on navigation in AtoM.
Click on the “More” button in the button block and select “Link digital object”.
Click the “Create” button in the button block. When you return to the view page, the reference display copy will be displayed in the digital object field, above the other fields linked to that authority record.
Unauthenticated users (i.e. not logged in) cannot download digital objects associated with authority records.
As with archival descriptions, you can upload any file format to authority records, but only supported formats can be viewed or played directly in AtoM. For a list of formats, see File formats. Formats that are not supported can still be uploaded: clicking the object will download it to the user’s desktop where (assuming the user has the required software) it can be viewed or played.
Any digital object that has been uploaded and linked to an archival description or authority record can be edited at any time by an authenticated (i.e. logged-in) user.
Navigate to the view page of an existing archival description or authority record that has an associated digital object.
You can add alternative text to display if the image cannot be displayed in your browser.
Navigate to the archival description or authority record linked to the digital object you want to edit. You can do this by searching or browsing - for more information on navigation in AtoM, see: Access content.
Note: this is not available for digital objects linked to authority records.
Navigate to the view page of an existing archival description or authority record that has an existing digital object.