USDA Wildlife Services image collection: Creating an online database of digital images using CONTENTdm™ software

Photographic images are valuable assets in wildlife damage management research. Photographs are used in presentations, publications, websites, and posters to illustrate damage problems, the species involved, and management solutions. However, organizing photographic collections is time consuming, requires special storage, and locating individual images becomes difficult as collections grow. This article demonstrates the USDA Wildlife Services Image Collection Database and describes the steps taken in creating the database, scanning the images, developing a controlled vocabulary and metadata, and Internet search screens. The database allows users to search by keyword, display search results, and download selected images directly into PowerPoint to create presentations. Plans for future additions to the database are also discussed, and recommendations on organizing individual image collections are listed