A digital image archive of the collection of Waterford County Museum has won the best small museum website 2006 at the Museums and The Web International Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
William Fraher, curator of the museum, said: "We realised there were lots of interesting photographs people had in their houses and drawers . . . and maybe we should make an effort to start a collection."
William Whelan, the museum's president, said there were 2,405 images on the website, with a goal of adding 50 more each week. The images include photos, postcards, paintings and drawings.
Mr Whelan and his brother, Martin, are software web designers with Dungarvan web design company Déise Design. They decided to take the digital archive route because it gives people the most access for the lowest cost.
The museum's annual budget is €7,000, but the project was created at no cost to the museum through volunteer work.
The Waterford County Library provides free server space to store the digital images and the Heritage Council gave a €2,800 grant to buy computer equipment.
William Whelan and his brother scan the images at large sizes and use algorithms to bring them down to size. "If there is a leak or fire or someone loses them, they can be recreated perfectly," he said. "We're getting lots of comments from experts outside our knowledge base. We're getting lots of questions and mysteries answered."
By putting the images on line, more people know they can send in historical images to add to the collection and more experts have access to the growing collection.