Omeka Documentation & Training

The CVL Collections program utilizes Omeka, a free, open source content management system for online digital collections. Unlike a traditional website, Omeka is specifically designed to store and display digital items and their metadata. Omeka can also automatically share your metadata with the Plains to Peaks Collective so that your digital collections are searchable in the Digital Public Library of America.

CVL Collections partners use Omeka to create collections of digital items, and if they choose, to create online exhibits. Any item, collection, or exhibit that you make public can be viewed on any device using a web browser.

Support

All CVL Collections partners have access to ad-hoc support via email, phone, and video conference with screen sharing. Contact us if you have a support-related question.

Omeka Classic User Manual

The Omeka Classic User Manual has step-­by-­step instructions to help you manage your site and your digital content. Here are some of the sections that you might find useful:

• Items — The building blocks of your collection. Items can be added individually or uploaded from a CSV file.
• Files — Images, sound recordings, and other digital files that can be associated with your Items.
• Collections — Groupings of items. An Item can only exist in one Collection, but a Collection can have multiple Items.
• Exhibits — Themed pages that display select items along with narrative text.

CVL Collections Omeka Training Manual

The CVL Collections Omeka Training Manual is an introduction to how our partners can use Omeka to share their digital collections.

Videos

The CVL Collections program videos and Omeka tutorial videos linked below are also available as a YouTube Playlist. All videos are closed captioned.

Omeka Tutorial Videos

• Alt Text
• Adding a New Item One-at-a-Time
• Adding New Items by CSV Import
• Adding a New Collection
• Adding a New Exhibit
• Adding, Deleting, & Managing Admin Users
• Bulk Editing and Batch Editing
• Google Analytics
• PDF Text

CVL Collections Program Videos

• Introduction to CVL Collections
• CVL Collections Accessibility Webinar (July 2024)
  • Slide deck (pdf)
  • HB21-1110, Colorado Laws For Persons With Disabilities
  • Office of Information Technology’s Plain Language Guide to the State Technology Accessibility Rules
• CVL Collections Accessibility Webinar: Reasonable Modifications (March 2025)
  • Slide deck (pdf)
• CVL Collections Metadata Guidelines
• Rights Statements and Creative Commons Licenses

CVL Collections Office Hours Archive

• CVL Collections Office Hours: CSV Import in Omeka
• CVL Collections Office Hours: Omeka Customizations & CSS Basics
• CVL Collections Office Hours: DPLA/Wikimedia Partnership
• CVL Collections Office Hours: Adding PPC Content to Wikipedia Articles