From VADS to VADS: ‘wayback’ to 1996 and fast forward to 2010

The following paper was presented at the Architecture Librarian's annual conference, ARCLIB 20th Anniversary Conference 'Reflections', University of Portsmouth, Thursday 8th July 2010. Short abstract: Since its inception in 1996 the Visual Arts Data Service (VADS) has provided a national image repository to support learning, teaching and research across the arts education sector and beyond. Known as AHDS Visual Arts between 2003 and 2008, the VADS name has been re-established since becoming a Research Centre of the University for the Creative Arts in March 2008. This presentation will set VADS in the wider context of digital visual arts collections and related services with a focus on architecture collections; looking at issues such as improving user experience; increasing access to and usage of collections; and sustainability in a changing environment