Final Report Vandenberg Air Force Base Digital Archive Project (2015 – 2018)

Summary

The Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) digital archive, “Vandenberg Air Force Base Archaeology and Cultural Resource Archive - Documents, Images, and other Data,” was created by the Center for Digital Antiquity (Digital Antiquity) in tDAR (the Digital Archaeological Record). Funding for the project was provided by United States Air Force (USAF) Civil Engineer Center (USAF-CEC) Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Office and administered through a contract between Baer Engineering of Austin, Texas and Digital Antiquity at Arizona State University.

In creating the archive, digital curators and data managers at Digital Antiquity worked with the (CRM) staff at VAFB. The creation of the VAFB digital archive in tDAR involved a number of activities:

• First, the material to be considered for inclusion in the digital archive was identified by the VAFB CRM staff and reviewed by Digital Antiquity staff. Material included: CRM-related documents (in particular, site records, published and unpublished reports, and correspondence), images, and other relevant material for the archive.

• The material was reviewed to determine the potential importance and relevance to future use for CRM activities.

• During the process, duplicate files, draft documents for which a final version was available, and material that was determined not to be relevant for CRM uses were set aside and not immediately processed, but retained for checking as the creation of the digital archive progressed.

• Relevant digital files were identified. Initially a number of these files (mainly CRM reports) were sent to digital Antiquity by VAFB CRM staff for uploading to tDAR and metadata records drafting. However, this process faltered when VAFB staff working on the project were reassigned or left the program.

• Based on subsequent discussions with and requests from the VAFB CRM staff, sub-collections were created for organization and ease of use of the JBSA digital archive content.

A number of project goals were accomplished or major progress was made towards achieving them as of July 2018 when this report was drafted initially..

1. Create a digital archive of archaeological reports and site records for VAFB that can be used for the management of archeological information by the base cultural resources office. While not complete, the existing VAFB digital archive in tDAR is structured in a logical and useful way for effective data management as it content is added.

2. Create an in-depth style guide (Appendix 1) and uploading procedures for adding archaeological reports and site inventory records to the VAFB tDAR archive.

3. Connect archaeological reports to site inventory records to archaeological reports in tDAR.

4. The VAFB digital archive contains documents, images, and other data and information related to archaeological and other cultural heritage resources. The archive is fully useable by the JBSA CRM staff, however, many of the records need to be reviewed and any editing noted by the JBSA CRM staff should be made. Corrections and modifications can be accomplished by the JBSA CRM staff or, if preferable, through another contract with Digital Antiquity.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) Cultural Resource Archive - Documents, Images, and other Data

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Vandenberg Air Force Base

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