How to Participate

If you plan to use a local cataloging system
If you are interested in contributing to VIA from your own local cataloging system, follow the steps below.

1. Review VIA scope to determine eligibility of your collection.
2. Contact the chair of the VIA Working Group with a description of the materials that will be added to VIA. The chair will take the description of the materials to the VIA Steering Committee for approval.

If you plan to use OLIVIA
Interested parties should follow the OLIVIA/VIA application steps listed below. VIA is Harvard’s publicly accessible union catalog of images; OLIVIA is the data entry, cataloging, and staff side of the system.

1. Review VIA scope to determine eligibility of your collection.
2. Contact the chair of the VIA Steering Committee with a description of the materials that will be added to OLIVIA/VIA. The chair will take the description of the materials to the VIA Steering Committee and the OLIVIA Steering Committee for approval. Upon approval by both Steering Committees, the OLIVIA Steering Committee will assign a "buddy" (an experienced OLIVIA user) to work with the new repository and to answer any questions regarding the use of OLIVIA.
3. Designate an OLIVIA Liaison for your repository. See the Liaison page for more information on the Liaison's role.
4. Attend an OLIVIA training class scheduled through OIS.
5. Request an OLIVIA user account.
6. Acquire, install and configure the appropriate software [link to Olivia.html anchor to Cataloging Client Software].
7. Meet with your OLIVIA "buddy" to discuss and review cataloging plans and initial records.
8. Submit 10-20 OLIVIA records for review by the OLIVIA Steering Committee.

Following approval of sample records, ongoing assistance with questions and problems is provided by the OLIVIA Users Group.