Collections Online
We are excited to announce that there is a new web interface to access the Minnetrista Heritage Collection! Users will notice updated imagery, more search functions, and new or updated information added on a nearly daily basis.
Access to the site is the same: from the main Minnetrista website page, click “Collection” in the top right corner. This takes you to the page describing our collecting scope and how to contact us. This is where you will also find the “Browse the Heritage Collection” button. Click that, and you are now on the landing page for the new collections database online. https://minnetrista.rediscoverysoftware.com/mhome.aspx
On this page, you have the option to search in one of the four catalogs individually or do a Global Search across all four catalogs. There is basically the same functionality within each catalog plus some options that are specific to each for the types of materials that are represented.
Each main catalog page provides a short description of those segments of the collection and basic search tips can be found throughout. In Browse, you can select terms, numbers, dates, or names to search. Advanced Search provides more specific options where multiple terms can be used to narrow results.
When a search has been done and results are displayed, there are options for sorting those results and for viewing them. You can create a list view with images or look at just a grouping of images without the details for each item. These options will differ slightly between each catalog.
The Creator/Subjects option allows term searching of names, places, and topics or subjects. For example, selecting a Geographic term will provide an alphabetical list of place names, and clicking on one of those will produce a list of results in which that term is used.
Exhibits consists of digital displays related to special topics that researchers can then access for more information about those topics. Right now, there are two exhibits available in the Objects catalog, both of which complement current exhibits at Minnetrista: Create Without Constraint and Bob Ross paintings.
You can also create your own list of searches that can be downloaded and saved. By clicking on the star ☆ in an individual record, you can save that record to a list generated by the site. Easily view, add, or remove items from your list. Downloaded lists automatically create an Excel spreadsheet, or there is an option to print as a PDF.
To navigate back to the previous screen, use the back arrow in the web browser. To return to the main page of a catalog, click that catalog name next to Home (Objects, Photos, Archives, or Library). To return to the landing page of the database, click on Home.
We hope you will enjoy this new access to the collections, find it easy to use, and will use it often! Records are continually added and updated with more information on a daily basis. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact a member of the Collections and Storytelling team. Happy searching!
