IIIF & xamoom: Unlocking Cultural Heritage with Interoperable Image Standards

Introduction

High-resolution images of ancient manuscripts, artworks, and artifacts are essential for preserving and sharing our cultural heritage. But how do you make this treasure trove of content accessible—across institutions, devices, and languages?

That’s where IIIF (International Image Interoperability Framework) comes in. And with xamoom, institutions now have a mobile-first, flexible way to bring IIIF content directly to their audiences—at the right place, time, and context.

What is IIIF and Why Does it Matter?

IIIF is an open standard that allows institutions to share and display high-resolution images in a consistent, interoperable way. It consists of structured APIs—primarily the Image API and the Presentation API—that deliver zoomable images, layered metadata, and even custom annotations.

This means:

- Museums can offer deep zoom, side-by-side comparison, and storytelling around their assets.

- Scholars can build tools that pull images from different institutions into one shared viewer.

- Mobile apps and web platforms (like xamoom) can seamlessly embed content from leading institutions like the British Library or the Belvedere Museum.

IIIF in Action: Europe’s Cultural Shift

From the Belvedere Museum in Vienna to platforms like arthistoricum.net and museum-digital, IIIF is becoming the gold standard for digital image sharing in the cultural sector.

These institutions use IIIF not just for image display, but also to open new ways of interacting with culture:

• - Visitors compare artworks side by side
• - Researchers access annotated manuscripts in digital reading rooms
• - Digital guides link images with contextual audio, video, and text

IIIF is no longer just for large institutions. Tools like Mirador (a web-based IIIF viewer) and Cantaloupe (a Java-based image server) make the technology accessible even to smaller museums.

How xamoom Integrates IIIF

At xamoom, we specialize in location-based storytelling. Our CMS empowers institutions to deliver tailored content via QR codes, NFC tags, beacons, or geofencing—without the need for a native app.

With IIIF integration, xamoom can:

- Embed IIIF manifests directly into mobile experiences

- Offer users zoomable, high-res images tied to specific physical locations

- Connect spot-based storytelling with rich metadata and deep image analysis

Imagine this: A visitor scans a QR code next to a historic painting. Instantly, they see a IIIF viewer integrated into the xamoom Smart App, on their phone, allowing them to zoom into the brushstrokes, read interpretive content, or listen to an expert commentary.

Use Case: A Walk Through Digital Culture

Take the Carinthia Museum as an example. With xamoom, they've already delivered audio guides, interactive storytelling, and beacon-triggered content. By adding IIIF to the mix, their vast image archives could be made accessible right where the artifact is exhibited—or even remotely. It’s the next step in enhancing accessibility, education, and engagement.

Other potential partners like kulturpool.at and Europeana already provide IIIF-ready collections. With xamoom, these can be embedded into flexible mobile experiences that reach tourists, students, and locals alike.

Conclusion: Mobile-First Meets Open Culture

IIIF enables the interoperability of visual culture. xamoom brings it to life—at the right time, at the right place, and in the right language. Whether you're curating a world-class museum or telling your town’s hidden stories, combining IIIF with xamoom’s flexible CMS means making culture more visible, personal, and mobile than ever before.

Ready to bring your digital collection to life?

Book a free demo to discover how IIIF and xamoom can elevate your cultural experience. Already a customer? Just ask us to activate it for you.