Problem Statement

Topotheques are important digital archives for documenting regional history. However, they often do not live up to their full potential, as they are mostly used as databases only. Presenting these collections in a vivid and appealing way using modern technologies is still rare. While some tools offer such functionality, they are usually not free to use, are technically complex, or are not directly connected to the Topotheque platform.

Objective

The Topocurator is designed as a free, user-friendly tool that provides direct access to Topotheque content. It allows users to visually prepare, present, and exhibit these materials, while also placing them in context. The main goal is to strengthen the narrative power of regional collections and open them up to a wider audience —without the need for external tools or licensing arrangements.

Target Groups

• Organizations: Editors of Topotheques and regional museums that need a simple tool to present their content.
• Citizen Science & Open Source Communities: Researchers and citizen science projects that want to contextualize their data and present it effectively to diverse audiences.
• Individuals & Schools: Teachers and students who want to conduct research and present their findings in a transparent and accessible way.

Result

We are developing a user-friendly interface for Topotheques that is intuitive and easy to use. The tool will be integrated into the central platform www.topothek.at, ensuring a seamless connection with existing collections.

At the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, we will regularly offer workshops and training sessions on the Topocurator, aimed especially at Topotheque editors, teachers, and students. To highlight its range of applications, we will present the tool at professional events such as citizen science conferences, Researchers’ Nights, and science festivals. Its use in further research projects will help establish the Topocurator as a recognized tool in both academic and societal contexts.

Significance for the Internet in Austria

• Societal: Strengthening local memory culture and regional storytelling traditions by presenting content through an easy-to-use digital tool.
• Scientific: Developing new methodological approaches for citizen science projects and community-based historical work.
• Regional / Political: Supporting regional identity formation by improving opportunities for shared remembering and storytelling.
• Economic: Promoting dissemination through multipliers and institutions, with the aim of integrating the tool into existing systems and ensuring long-term use.