RLG’s ArchiveGrid database containing nearly a million collection descriptions of thousands of archives, museums, and libraries remains free for a few more weeks (June 30, 2006). Have a look and a search or two. It’s one powerful resource. Here’s a bit of what ResourceShelf posted when ArchiveGrid went live in March.

Fast Facts:

• Cool! Proximity searching (for example: “george washingon” ~5 “mt vernon”)
• Wildcard searching also available
• Sort results by relevance, date, title, archive, location
• Each entry on a results page includes archive contact info and a direct link to view full record
• Results pages also offer narrowing by location or archive name results by simply clicking (see boxes on left side of page)
• More search tips available here

With the just-approved RLG merger with OCLC, stay tuned for the latest about what will become of ArchiveGrid after the trial period concludes.

UPDATE: We’ve learned from a ResourceShelf reader that free access to ArchiveGrid will still end on June 30th. From the RLG e-mail:

Over 10% of all visitors came back for multiple visits. At least 2,000 sites created links to ArchiveGrid in order to promote its use. And 60,000+ respondents answered a simple survey when they logged on to the site, which told us that more than a third of all visitors came from academia. The research potential of ArchiveGrid has prompted over 40 institutions to contact RLG about becoming first-time contributors.

ArchiveGrid offers faculty and students the benefit of searching thousands of archives in one location. Via an easy-to-use interface, researchers can find nearly 900,000 collection descriptions and contact information for arranging a visit or ordering copies of critical materials.

If you want to provide seamless subscription access for your users starting July 1, just contact the RLG Information Center at 1-800-691-2320, or ric@rlg.org. Academic pricing is just under $5,000 per year for unlimited access. Special pricing is also available to consortia, small public libraries and nonacademic institutions such as historical societies, museums, and archives.

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