Content Management

The use of content management systems (CMSes) in public history is a relatively new phenomenon that has greatly enhanced the possibilities of presenting, curating and narrating history online. As CMSes have become increasingly powerful and easier to use, they obviate the need for comparatively costlier custom solutions, both in terms of time and financial investment. Archives, libraries, museums, institutions, scholars and educators are making use of CMSes to showcase collections, accompany exhibitions, tell histories online and to build online communities and networks. This chapter discusses how content management systems support these activities and projects while also delving into more technical aspects. In doing so the chapter focuses on open source systems which can be used by any scholar without incurring licensing fees, and are often supported by large user communities.