They're focused on transcribing dishes and prices, but they are already considering adding other kinds of work down the road that will help us add even more value to the database. Possibilities include: menu sectioning (appetizers, entrees, wines etc.), locating restaurants on maps, tagging, categorization etc.
Can I create an account? During this first experimental phase, the NYPL is trying to keep things as open as possible, but they intend before long to add a user account system to start more visibly tracking contributions from the community. The Library is grateful for the time/effort you devote to this endeavor, and hope to be able to recognize some of their top contributors down the road.
Will you provide an API, data exports etc.? That’s the plan. The NYPL intends to use it to enhance their own bibliographic information about the collection.
Has the Library ever done something like this before?They have an active project where they're collaborating with the public around their historic maps. Take a look!
Team
Rebecca Federman, Project Curator: Rebecca is the New York Public Library's Culinary Collections Librarian and Electronic Resources Coordinator. Rebecca writes about the Library's culinary collections on her blog Cooked Books.
Ben Vershbow, Project Director: Ben is Manager of NYPL Labs, an experimental unit developing new ideas and tools in the digital humanities. Before coming to the Library in 2008, he was Editorial Director of the Institute for the Future of the Book, a small Brooklyn-based think tank.
Michael Inman, Project Curator: Michael is Curator of Rare Books for The New York Public Library, administering a number of the institution’s collections and departments, including the Rare Book Division, George Arents Collection, and Historic Children’s Book Collection, among others.
Kristopher Kelly, Application Developer: Kris has a BA in English from Harvard University and a Masters in Science and Information Studies from the University of Texas in Austin. Currently, he serves as a Applications Developer for NYPL’s digital group.
Michael Lascarides, Project Advisor/Prototyper: Michael is Senior Manager for Web Initiatives for the New York Public Library. Prior to joining the New York Public Library in 2008, he worked as a web programmer, designer and information architect for a wide variety of commercial clients.
Amy Azzarito, Emeritus: Amy is currently the managing editor of Design*Sponge. She worked at The New York Public Library from 2002-2011, most recently in the capacity of Digital Producer, where she was part of the team that conceived What's On the Menu.
(Editor's Note, Image above of the New York Public Library building; Library of Congress Detroit Publishing Company collection.)
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