Smithsonian Libraries

Libraries Products Now Available on CafePress.com!

In June, the Smithsonian Enterprises Product Development and Licensing team launched the first official Smithsonian store on CafePress.com.

If you're not familiar with Cafe Press, it's an online shop that sells user-generated products such as t-shirts, mugs, notebooks and much more.

Among the debut collections in the Smithsonian's store is a selection of seed catalog art from the Libraries' very own trade literature collection in the National Museum of American History Library. You can buy a variety of products featuring our popular catalog covers, including this totebag decorated with a quaint Peter Henderson & Co illustration:

You can even purchase merchandise with the Smithsonian Libraries logo! How about sporting your Libraries pride with a trendy Sigg waterbottle?

Check out the entire line of Smithsonian wares at Cafe Press! The Libraries receives a portion of the proceeds from all items featuring our images.—Erin Clements Rushing

(Product images courtesy of Cafepress.com)

Introducing...Digital Services Division

L-R: Grace Duke, Richard Naples, Alvin Hutchinson, David Holbert, Keri Thompson, Martin Kalfatovic, Conrad Ziyad, Erin Thomas, Erin Clements Rushing

This newly renamed division is headed by Martin Kalfatovic, Assistant Director for Digital Services. The Digital Services Division (DSD) oversees all digital services for the Libraries including the web presence, coordination of web 2.0 activities, digitization of Libraries' content through both its own Imaging Center and contracted services, and imaging use (including image licensing and product development & licensing).

Information Services Unit—Alvin Hutchinson heads up this newly organized unit. Richard Naples reports to Alvin and works on all unit projects. Conrad Ziyad works on projects in this unit as well as in other units of the Division. Alvin is the Libraries representative to the Smithsonian’s Information Technology Management Committee (ITMC) and is the liaison to the Smithsonian Office of the Chief Information Officer on desktop support issues. The Information Services unit provides the following services to Smithsonian and Libraries staff:

• Maintains and promotes Smithsonian Research Online (SRO), research.si.edu, the program that consists of the Smithsonian Research Bibliography and the Smithsonian Digital Repository (SDR). The SRO serves as the record of Smithsonian scholarly output in all formats. The SDR maintains digital copies of much of this scholarly output.
• Provides support for other technology systems including ILLiad and Odyssey.
• Technical support for desktop applications not covered by OCIO. Richard Naples is the key person in the Division for questions related to moving computers, printers, etc.

Web Services Unit—Keri Thompson heads up this newly organized unit. The Web Services unit replaces much of the functionality of the previous New Media Office. Keri’s chief responsibilities are day-to-day maintenance and enhancement of the website, production of new digital projects on the web, and database management. She serves as the main contact to the OCIO’s Web Services Division. Keri is also the coordinator for all Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) scanning. In this task, she is assisted by two library technicians, Grace Duke and Erin Thomas. Erin and Grace’s primary duties are related to the review and scanning of materials for the BHL project.

Imaging Center —David Holbert coordinates all activities at the Imaging Center located at Pennsy Drive, near Landover Md. David is also our resident expert in imaging technology. The Imaging Center serves as the primary location for digitization of more fragile Libraries material and those that need rush or other special treatment. The Imaging Center maintains both an overhead scanning back camera with book cradle and a large format flatbed scanner.

Image Management and Product Development & Licensing—Erin Clements Rushing coordinates all image use for the Libraries. Erin works extensively with Libraries staff to transfer materials from their locations to the Imaging Center or externally to the Libraries for contract digitization services. As the main contact with Smithsonian Enterprises, Erin works with the Smithsonian’s Product Development & Licensing unit to create a wide variety of licensed images that are sold in Smithsonian shops as well as through catalogs and retail outlets. She also coordinates all direct licensing of Libraries' content with publishers, video producers, and others. Erin is the point person for copyright and other rights issues. She is not a lawyer, but she is in regular contact with the Smithsonian’s Office of the General Counsel to assist Libraries staff in questions related to intellectual property.—Martin Kalfatovic

Product Development & Licensing at the Smithsonian Libraries

Although you may be familiar with the gift shop note cards and calendars bearing Smithsonian Libraries images, did you know that you can buy a leather chair inspired by National Museum of American History trade literature or a rug based on designs found in the Dibner Library?  By working with the Smithsonian Enterprises’ Product Development and Licensing (PD&L) team, the Libraries has had the opportunity to collaborate with vendors on a wide variety of product lines – including fireplace accessories from Pilgrim Hearth and Lenox figurines.

How does an image become a product?

PD&L develops relationships with vendors that they feel will uphold the integrity of the Smithsonian brand and often invites product designers to visit the Institution, giving them an opportunity to find further inspiration and explore the hidden treasures in our collections. For Libraries material, this could mean poring over a table full of trade literature or viewing rare botanical titles in the Cullman Library. The designers come armed with digital cameras to quickly capture illustrations that catch the eye. Designers then use these images to create items that replicate their patterns and features or are just based on their general style. There are multiple review stages in product design, where both PD&L and the contributing unit have the opportunity to approve the designs, accompanying description and even promotional materials. For all products based on material found in SIL’s collection, the Libraries receive a portion of the profits from their sale.

What makes a good product?

Often, vendors will approach the Smithsonian with a product line already in mind. They will consider what is commercially viable and how the line will work with their existing products. Product Development and Licensing pursues products that showcase the Smithsonian's unique collections in a quality product.  According to Carol Leblanc, Director of New Business Development and Licensing for Smithsonian Business Ventures, the main goal is to ensure that “every product, in its’ own way, strives to offer the public another means of learning in an enjoyable, meaningful and authentic way; enhances the value of the Smithsonian name, and provides an opportunity to significantly increase the financial resources of the Smithsonian Institution.” 

Stay tuned - in the coming weeks we will feature more products inspired by Libraries collections! —Erin Clements Rushing

Images:

Journal des dames et des modes Journal des dames et des modes, 1914. Plate 168.

"Belle de l'Opera" figure. Courtesy of Lenox.