Digital Commons Project: A Study of the Collaborative Use and Development of Digital Collections in the Field of Arts and Culture

Abstract

At Keio Museum Commons (KeMCo), the “Digital Commons Project” was launched to address the issue of digital collections being used by only a narrow range of communities. This project seeks to collaboratively build and expand the use of these collections with a wider array of social groups. This paper reports on the activities of the project carried out by May 2024, detailing key findings and challenges. Our research, based on interviews and case studies, highlighted the importance of maintaining an appropriate balance with technology. Zines were identified as an effective medium for engaging users and promoting the use of digital collections. Additionally, through the implementation of a prototype learning program, we discovered that classifying the characteristics of digital tools and visualizing participants’ proficiency levels can help create an environment where generational differences in digital literacy do not lead to divides, but instead foster mutual support and collaboration. Furthermore, our findings emphasize the need for more than just digital skill-building programs. For the project’s goals to be fully realized, participants must have opportunities to engage in creative expression based on their own interests while utilizing digital tools and collections.