Tutorial: Using Simple Annotation Server (SAS) for Digital Humanities Projects

◉Introduction

　Our final project, “Mapping Layers,” utilizes the Simple Annotation Server (SAS) to explore Carleton College’s collection of Japanese World War II maps, including those produced by Imperial Japan and the United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Captured by Allied forces and later distributed to U.S. libraries, these maps have remained largely unstudied due to language barriers.

　We digitized, translated, and analyzed them using the Simple Annotation Server (SAS), a tool that facilitates the annotation of IIIF (International Image Interoperability Framework) content. SAS is particularly valuable for Digital Arts & Humanities projects, enabling scholars to annotate and search historical maps, manuscripts, and artworks for deeper analysis.

https://dev.gdmrdigital.com/

◎Step-by-Step Guide to Using Simple Annotation Server (SAS)

Task: Annotating a Map

Step 1: Accessing Simple Annotation Server

1. Open your web browser and go to the Simple Annotation Server (SAS) homepage.
2. If required, create an account or log in with existing credentials.
3. Once logged in, navigate to the Dashboard.

Step 2: Adding an IIIF Manifest to Your Collection

1. Locate the “Add Manifest” button on the dashboard.
2. Copy the IIIF Manifest URL of the historical map you want to annotate.
3. Paste the manifest link into the input field and click “Import”.
4. The map will now appear in your collection, ready for annotation.

Step 3: Creating Annotations

1. Open the map you imported by selecting it from your collection.
2. Use the annotation tools to select an area of the map (e.g., a city or strategic point).
3. Add a text annotation explaining the selected feature, such as a translation of a place name.
4. Save the annotation and ensure it appears correctly overlaid on the map.

Step 4: Tag Annotations

1. Use the tag to classify specific annotations based on keywords (e.g., “Japanese” or “Strategic Information”).
2. The system will highlight relevant annotations, making it easy to locate historical details.

Step 5: Exporting and Sharing Your Work

1. Once annotations are complete, navigate to the export section.
2. Choose your preferred format (e.g., IIIF annotations, JSON, or CSV).
3. Share the annotated map with collaborators or embed it into a digital archive.

Additional Resources

For further exploration, check out:

1. IIIF Official Documentation – https://iiif.io/
2. Simple Annotation Server GitHub Repository – https://github.com/glenrobson/SimpleAnnotationServer