Educational Offer

Educational Offer

The NDA’s workshops for students are aimed to introduce students of liberal subjects into the issues and challenges of the digital archive studies and the most important aspects of the activity of the National Digital Archives.

Addressees

We invite students of liberal subjects, mainly history and archive studies; classes on photography may be also addressed to students of artistic subjects.

Organisational information

The classes are organised at the NDA’s seat at 1 Hankiewicza street in Warsaw for groups of at least 15 people, between 9 AM and 03 PM, from Monday to Friday. The dates and topics of classes must be arranged at least two weeks in advance (email: sekretariat[at]nac.gov.pl).

Proposed topics:

  • Information systems used in polish archives: “ZoSIA” and “Szukaj w Archiwach” Projects

Introduction to modern archival information systems and their applications in managing archival resources. 

  • Key photography collections at National Digital Archives

Overview of the most important photographic collections at NDA. Discussion on archival methodology, including cataloging, identifying uncaptioned photographs, and basics of copyright law related to photographic archives.

  • Early photographic techniques based on examples from the National Digital Archives

Exploration of historical photographic techniques through examples from the National Digital Archives collections. Guidelines for identifying techniques and basic principles of safe photograph preservation. 

  • General conditions for storing archival documentation

Discussion on the storage of photographic and written records. Presentation of various carriers (glass negatives, film, prints) and methods for their preservation, including simple conservation techniques like cleaning and mending.

  • Secrets of photos from Ilustrowany Kurier Codzienny (a popular Polish newspaper of the time)

The history of press photography and IKC’s activities. Explanation of retouching, photomontage techniques, and other curiosities from early photography and journalism.

  • Mastering photograph identification: locating scenes using subtle clues

How archivists use minor details, such as tram numbers, to identify locations and contextualize photographs. Insights into investigative methods used in archival research.

  • Key Audio and Film Collections at the National Digital Archives

Introduction to NDA’s audiovisual archives, including sound recordings, films, and accompanying documentation. Overview of cataloging audiovisual materials within legal frameworks. 

  • Step-by-step digitalization: What digital archivists do?

A detailed look into the responsibilities of digitalization specialists and the requirements for entering this field. Presentation of digitalization workflows, from handling original materials to creating digital copies.

  • Digitalization in theory and practice

Comparison of different archival carriers and methods of digitalization. Modern standards and best practices in digitalization, highlighting collaboration among archivists, digitalization teams, and conservators.

  • Technological Aspects of Digitalization

Overview of modern equipment used in digitalization. Explanation of technical parameters, specifications, and preparation for the digitalization process.