Releasing a Web Monetization module for Omeka S

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 17:40:26 +0000

Today RRCHNM is announcing the release of a module for Omeka S that will allow cultural heritage institutions to enable Web Monetization on their digital collections, so that users can stream micropayments for their support.

That was a lot of jargon. Let’s back up a few steps.

First, a principle: We believe that cultural heritage institutions (like RRCHNM!) should align their mission with the users that they serve. It would be ideal, in other words, if what was financially good for an institution aligned with what was best for its constituents. It is very rarely the case, however, that providers of digital content are supported by their users. More often they have a different revenue stream. While this is not all bad, it can lead institutions to be funder-driven rather than mission-driven. And it does leave institutions vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of their funding.

Web Monetization on Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Releasing a Web Monetization module for Omeka S