The document discusses the concept of a "Smithsonian Commons" which would involve the Smithsonian Institution embracing an open approach to sharing its resources online. Some key points: - A commons refers to a set of resources maintained for public use and benefit, as opposed to private ownership. - Examples of successful cultural commons like Flickr, MIT OpenCourseWare, and data catalogs show the benefits of free and open sharing of information. - Establishing a Smithsonian Commons could help address challenges like declining traffic, unexpected online competition, and changing audience expectations in the digital age. - Adopting a commons model is presented as a low-risk, high-reward way

1. Imagining a Smithsonian Commons Michael Edson Director, Web and New Media Strategy Smithsonian Institution, Office of the CIO Visual Resources Association March 19, 2009 Toronto, CA

3. A Model Institution

4. A Model Institution

5. A Model Institution

6. A Model Institution

11. What is a Commons? A set of resources maintained in the public sphere for the use and benefit of everyone

12. What is a Commons? The Anti-Commons…

13. What is a Commons? An organized workshop where the raw materials of knowledge can be found and assembled into new things.

14. What is a Commons?

15. What is a Commons?

26. Commons Examples

46. The Rise of the Commons

47. The Un-Common Institution

48. The Un-Common Institution

49. The Un-Common Institution

54. Vexatious Phenomena

66. Vexatious Phenomena

79. I want to be a commons…

80. Don’t forget about us!!!

82. Thanks! Michael Edson Director, Web and New Media Strategy Smithsonian Institution [email_address]