Islandora Content Management Guide

Table of Contents

Adding Collections

Creating a Collection

1. Go to Content > Add Content > Repository Item

2. Set Resource Type as "Collection" and Model as "Collection"

3. Add collection metadata in relevant fields

4. Optional - Add banner image: Upload to Main Banner field

   • Images must be larger than 1280x400 pixels

5. Optional - Add description: Add text to Description field (appears above object list)

6. Click Save

Adding Collection Thumbnails

Collections need thumbnails added separately:

1. In the collection node, click Media tab

2. Upload an image, setting Media Use to "Thumbnail Image"

3. Size requirements: 650x650 pixels (or 550x550 minimum), square format

Adding Objects

Creating an Object

1. Go to Content > Add Content > Repository Item

2. Set appropriate Resource Type and Model (see configuration table below)

3. Add object metadata in relevant fields

4. If object requires a viewer, choose viewer in Display Hints field:

   • Open Seadragon: For JPG, TIFF, PNG

   • PDFjs: For PDF files

   • Remote Media: For externally hosted audio/video

5. Click Save

Adding Media Files

1. In object node, click Media tab, then Add Media

2. Select media type (Note: use "File" for TIFFs)

3. Upload file and set Media Use to "Original File"

4. Click Save

Note: Thumbnail derivatives are automatically created for most file types

Object Types and Configuration

Understanding Resource Type and Model combinations is crucial for proper object display. The Resource Type describes the general category of content, while the Model specifies how Islandora should handle and display that content.

Compound Objects

Compound objects are collections of related items that are displayed together, such as a multi-page document, photo album, or series of related images.

Structure

• Parent Object: The main compound object (uses Collection/Compound Object)

• Child Objects: Individual items within the compound (various types)

Creating Compound Objects

1. Create the Parent Object

1. Go to Content > Add Content > Repository Item

2. Set Resource Type as "Collection" and Model as "Compound Object"

3. Add metadata for the overall compound object

4. Click Save

2. Create Child Objects

1. For each item in the compound, create individual objects following normal object creation steps

2. Important: In each child object's Member of field, select the parent compound object

3. Child objects can be any type (images, PDFs, etc.)

3. Add Thumbnail to Parent

• Compound parent objects need manual thumbnails (see thumbnail section below)

• Alternatively, use the bulk action to set thumbnail from first child

Navigation

• Users can browse through compound object children using navigation controls

• Each child object also has its own individual page

Oral History Objects

Oral history objects are special audio/video items that can display alongside time-stamped or plain text transcripts.

Setting Up Oral History Objects

1. Create the Main Object

1. Create audio or video object as normal

2. Set Resource Type and Model appropriately for your media type

3. Add descriptive metadata

4. Upload the audio/video file as "Original File"

2. Add Transcript Files

Add transcript files by uploading them with specific Media Use settings:

3. Upload Transcript Files

1. In the oral history object, click Media tab

2. Click Add Media

3. Select appropriate file type

4. Upload transcript file

5. Critical: Set correct Media Use term from table above

6. Click Save

User Experience

• Time-stamped transcripts (.xml): Users can click time-stamps to jump to specific points in the audio

• Plain text transcripts (.txt): Simple text version with no interactive features

• Multiple transcripts: You can have both types for the same object

Display Mode

Oral history objects may use a special "Oral Histories" display mode that organizes the media player and transcript tabs optimally.

Managing Thumbnails

Objects Requiring Manual Thumbnails

These object types need thumbnails added separately:

• Audio

• Book (parent)

• Newspaper (parent)

• Compound Object (parent)

• Remote Media

Adding Thumbnails Manually

1. In object node, click Media tab, then Add Media

2. Upload image, setting Media Use to "Thumbnail Image"

3. Size requirements: 650x650 pixels (550x550 minimum), square format

Bulk Thumbnail Generation

For compound and paged parent objects:

1. Go to Content page (admin/content)

2. Select the parent objects

3. Choose "Set thumbnail for parent object from first child" from Actions dropdown

4. Click "Apply to selected items"

Creating Basic Pages

Creating a Page

1. Go to Content > Add Content > Basic Page

2. Add content to fields:

   • Title

   • Banner image (optional)

   • Body (WYSIWYG editor with formatting options)

   • URL alias (optional custom URL)

Custom URL Setup

1. Expand "URL alias" tab on right side

2. Uncheck "Generate automatic URL alias"

3. Enter desired alias in "URL alias" box (start with "/")

Access Control

Setting Access Policies on Objects

1. In object edit form, scroll to "Access Control" section

2. Check box for desired access level:

Access Levels

• Default (no selection):

  • Viewing: Unrestricted

  • Downloads: Unrestricted

• Metadata-only:

  • Viewing: Only metadata shown to anonymous users; logged-in users see media

  • Downloads: Must be logged in

• Differential access - open:

  • Viewing: Unrestricted

  • Downloads: Admin users only

• Differential access - limited:

  • Viewing: Must be logged in

  • Downloads: Admin users only

• Limited access:

  • Viewing: Must be logged in

  • Downloads: Must be logged in

• Admin-only:

  • Viewing: Admin users only

  • Downloads: Admin users only

Important: Even with download restrictions, tech-savvy users may still be able to access media files through other methods.

Navigation and File Requirements

Content Management Navigation

• View all content: Content in admin menu

• Add new content: Content > Add Content

• Edit existing content: Navigate to content, click Edit tab

• Search content: Use search/filter options on Content page

File Requirements

• Banner images: Larger than 1280x400 pixels

• Thumbnails: 650x650 pixels (550x550 minimum), square format

• Media files: Always set Media Use to "Original File" when uploading

• Transcript files: .txt, .asc for plain text; .xml for time-stamped

• Supported formats: JPG, TIFF, PNG for images; PDF for documents; MP4 for video

Important Reminders

• All configuration changes must be exported to code - notify your technical team when making changes

• Thumbnails and derivatives are automatically generated for most file types

• Always set proper Resource Type, Model, and Display Hints for correct display

• Use the Member of field to create relationships between objects (parent-child, collection membership)

Adding Entity Taxonomy terms (Person, Event, Organization, Place)

Mapping of Taxonomies

• Person = Person

• Geo Location = Place

• Corporate Body = Organization

• Event = Event

• Subject = Subject

Adding taxonomy entity terms

Preform a search for the taxonomy entity term(s) before creating a new entity term to avoid duplication. Use the corresponding links to search the relevant taxonomies.

• Person taxonomy = https://islandora.marmot.org/taxonomy/vocab/person/all

• Event taxonomy = https://islandora.marmot.org/taxonomy/vocab/event/all

• Geo Location/Place taxonomy = https://islandora.marmot.org/taxonomy/vocab/geo_location/all

• Corporate Body/Organization taxonomy = https://islandora.marmot.org/taxonomy/vocab/corporate_body/all

• Subject taxonomy = https://islandora.marmot.org/taxonomy/vocab/subject/all