The Museum’s ongoing digitization and cataloging initiative is a transformative project that builds on nearly two decades of efforts to modernize and streamline internal processes while increasing public access to its collections. Initially launched in 2008 with the conversion of legacy systems—including a traditional card catalog and multiple databases—into an integrated library catalog (EOS), the project has progressively evolved. By 2010, the Museum expanded its digital capabilities by adopting a Digital Asset Management System (DAMS) to house approximately 50,000 images and films, later making them accessible online through Flickr and YouTube.

Over the past 15 years, successive grant projects have bolstered these efforts, including significant IMLS-funded initiatives in 2016 and 2020 aimed at enhancing both the Library & Archives and Curatorial catalog systems. These efforts not only modernized workflows and improved standards for maintaining collection records but also exposed the limitations of having separate systems. The disparate functions of PastPerfect (curatorial) and EOS (library) led to inefficiencies and duplicative work, underscoring the need for a unified solution.

The current phase, funded by the 2023 IMLS grant, marks a pivotal step forward. The project is now focused on transferring and consolidating catalog records from both PastPerfect and EOS into a new, sophisticated collection management system (CMS) by Axiell. This new CMS will integrate seamlessly with the existing DAMS, creating a centralized platform that connects artifacts, archives, and digital assets. The result will be a single, comprehensive catalog that enhances documentation, tracking, and cross-searchability, making the Museum’s extensive collections more accessible to researchers, staff, and the public.

Ultimately, this initiative is not just about system integration—it is about preserving the rich history embedded in the Museum’s collections and making it engaging and accessible for future generations. By adopting a CMS designed for the digital age, the Museum is poised to become a premier resource in aviation and space history, ensuring that its legacy is maintained and celebrated well into the future.