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Displaying images with IIIF

A how-to guide for displaying digital images from Ohio University Libraries Digital Archives & other IIIF-compatible image collections.

What is IIIF?

International Image Interoperability Framework logo with iiif acronym in alternating blue and red lettersIIIF (pronounced “triple eye eff”) stands for the International Image Interoperability Framework and is defined as "a set of open standards for delivering high-quality, attributed digital objects online at scale." A growing number of cultural heritage institutions are utilizing IIIF to present digital collections. The underlying technology supports reuse by offering general audiences an efficient means to display IIIF-enabled content. Learn more at https://iiif.io/.

 

While the scope of IIIF has broad applications which extend to audiovisual content, digital object metadata, associated transcripts, and annotations, this guide will specifically address the ways in which IIIF can be leveraged to display images.

IIIF Features

  • Rich zoom & pan viewing capabilities
  • Fast, serverless image delivery
  • Growing number of tools to facilitate reuse 
  • Compare & curate images from distinct collections across the web
  • Support for basic metadata & attribution through built-in APIs
  • Creative possibilities for building online exhibits, annotating media, and structuring content embeds

IIIF in Action

This video demonstrates use of the IIIF Mirador viewer for image manipulation and comparison.

IIIF Mirador viewer demonstration, Harvard Art Museums