Piece by piece: An SQL Archival Database Project
One of the most challenging honors projects I have taken on was building an SQL database meant to mirror what may be used by Conner Prairie for their collections
Project Description
The goal with this project was to create a functional database that might mirror the one that could theoretically be used to manage a collection of this type. Having never coded with SQL before or created a database, this was a great challenge for me from a technical standpoint. In collaboration with my professor for this honors contract, we worked to develop both the main database as well as the catalogue listings for my chosen items, using the online available information from the Conner Prarie collections as a guide.
Professional Development
In the field of library sciences, knowing how information is stored and managed is a key part of being able to create information structures that are accessible to our audiences. These might be researchers, the general public, or other information professionals. By taking on this project, I was enable to enhance this understanding and create transferrable skills that will allow me to support useres in future roles by being able to consider what information is important for reuse, how users search for information, how information professionals maintain and curate collections, and how the storage methods contributes to discoverability.
Skills Development
This project allowed me to develop skills with SQL programming, information management and organization, and database curation.​ A secondary part of this project was to create catalog listings for these items, which allowed me to explore metadata standards, tagging methodologies, and Library of Congress heading standards.
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All of these skills culminate in me being able to not only visualize and organize digital information, but also be able to apply these skills in a broader sense to information development and accessibility.