Digital Exhibits: Collection Builder
About Collection Builder
CollectionBuilder is an open source tool for creating digital collection and exhibit websites that are driven by metadata and powered by modern static web technology. It requires only a simple spreadsheet of metadata and a directory of digital objects to facilitate multiple modes of entry into a digital collection by generating timelines, maps, and browsing features that contextualize the collection’s historic items.
Anyone can use CollectionBuilder at no cost. You start by choosing a template and then using their documentation and tutorials to build your site.
Learn to use CollectionBuilder
Resources for Learning CollectionBuilder
If you are just getting started with digital collections and exhibits, CollectionBuilder-GH, using GitHub and GitHub Pages, will probably work well for you. The CollectionBuilder-GH Workshop Tutorial will show you everything you need to know to create your collection.
Additional Reading
Wikle, Olivia, et. al. "What is Static Web and What’s it Doing in the Digital Humanities Classroom?" dh+lib, 2020 Special Issue.
Considerations when Using CollectionBuilder
- You will need to create a GitHub account if you don't already have one.
- CollectionBuilder puts the focus on your data. They provide a metadata template and encourage the user to use that as a starting point for their metadata.
- Pages must be less than 1GB in size
Examples
CollectionBuilder in the Wild - Select digital collections from users outside of University of Idaho.
