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VITA (Video, Image, Text and Audio) is a web based toolkit for building digital collections, available as a service of Our Ontario. VITA enables contributors to upload digital objects and create full descriptions, as well as providing sophisticated search, browse, and other interactive features for users and end users. Every object is made available through the OurOntario.ca portal as well as on a hosted customizable site created specifically for your organization’s collections. Explore the features and functionality of collections built using VITA and hosted by Our Ontario by clicking here.

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VITA has many features and functions for users and administrators including:

• Video, image, text and audio file display and hosting
• Full metadata record creation
• Geographic mapping using Google Maps
• Interactive features like electronic postcards, posing mystery questions and user comment forms
• Multiple sizes of image display
• Photo essays and group record management
• Powerful data management tools, statistical information gathering
• Community user forum

And it’s easy to use!

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Every record created in VITA that is made public can be discovered through a locally branded website, the OurOntario.ca Portal, and on the World Wide Web via search engines like Google. Every item in your collection gets lots of exposure, and so does your organization.

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All Toolkit Partners retain all rights and editorial control over the material they contribute. Records may be updated, changed or deleted from the Toolkit Partner site at any time by the toolkit partner via the web interface. All content hosted by Our Ontario remains the property of the Toolkit Partner. Partnering with Our Ontario requires no transfer of copyright of the digital content to Our Ontario and /or Knowledge Ontario. The Toolkit Partner retains all rights and editorial control over the material they make publicly accessible via use of the Our Ontario toolkit.

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Users  of the VITA Toolkit service accept the Terms of Agreement that outlines each party’s roles and responsibilities. As a toolkit subscriber, for example, you are responsible for:

• Provision of contact details, project management and/or technical information as required;
• Selection of materials, creation of digital resources and metadata records, and administering your data;
• Clearing copyright, reproduction rights, rights for website use and all other related rights for the digital submissions;
• Ensuring that all copyright clearances conform to Canadian copyright law;
• Managing and administering any restrictions on use by end-users;
• Managing and administrating your data management users;
• Managing and administrating your hosted website

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For digital collections that are in process, VITA is a user-friendly record creation and editing tool, and it is possible to transfer the existing collection metadata (catalogue) records into the Our Ontario index. Our Ontario can supply the VITA toolkit to your organization/institution to provide software, hosting and a customizable site for displaying your collection online. Let us help you determine what the best choice is for your organization/institution by telling us about your digital content using the Registry Form.

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Yes. The VITA software can deliver all of your record content in XML format. Choose the Dublin Core export or a full OurOntario.ca export schema for your inhouse storage, back up or migration into other systems and databases.

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Our Ontario is committed to training, informing and supporting its contributors every step of the way—from site administration to data entry. We provide:

• virtual training sessions
• documentation
• Our Ontario Toolkit community network
• one-on-one consultation

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To become a VITA toolkit user, submit a completed Registry Form. We will contact your organization to discuss how to get you started on your way to building standard, sustainable and accessible digital collections.

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We are presently transitioning our existing partners to a fee model for the Toolkit Service. New partners of all kinds are welcome to contact us for more details and to discuss your projects.

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