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Cuban Heritage Collection - Lessons Learned
Version 6, changed by s3admin. 10/16/2006. Show version history
By GeoPaul at 08/06/2006 09:16PM
A page from Cuban Heritage Collection Digitizing Project Final Report
Imaging:
Accomplishing a large-scale digitizing project in-house requires a sizeable staff. The project experienced significant turnover among the staff that operated the scanners. Every staff departure resulted in a productivity loss as a replacement was recruited, hired, and trained. Based on experience gained in this project, the Richter Library has decided to outsource the actual digitizing tasks of future large-scale efforts to a third-party that specializes in digital imaging.Metadata:
Preparing descriptive information about each digital image is just as important as scanning the actual document or photograph. Selecting the appropriate metadata standard and implementing it effectively requires a careful analysis of the collections being digitized as well as knowledge about the scope of different metadata schemes in existence. Performing this function well requires the expertise of an experienced, professional librarian and cannot simply be done in an ad hoc manner by those only vaguely familiar with metadata principles. Based on experience gained in this project, the Richter Library has redefined one of its professional cataloging positions as a metadata librarian who will work actively in ensuring that appropriate metadata is applied in digital projects.Collections:
One of the great by-products of a digitizing project is that it forces a library to ensure that a collection is fully processed according to archival standards. This project was the first to apply the Encoded Archival Description (EAD) standard to a collection. While EAD presents some difficulties, it is an excellent conceptual tool for analyzing a collection. Based on experience gained in this project, the Richter Library is applying the principles of EAD in the preparation of finding aids for archival collections.Preservation:
The digitizing of thousands of images necessitates the development of a digital preservation plan to ensure that rare materials never have to be re-scanned. Through this project, the Richter Library has developed a procedure based on best practices of other institutions for maintaining digital images. Furthermore, based on experience gained in this project, the Richter Library is developing a more extensive digital preservation infrastructure that will ensure the long-term management of archival master digital images.Technology:
Projects that are technology-based often spend an inordinate amount of time attempting to make a specific software system work properly. Often, a simpler choice of systems can be very effective. Also, projects require a significant ramp-up time as equipment is purchased and installed. As an outcome of this project, the Richter Library has selected CONTENTdm as its software system for archival digital collections. The lessons learned with technology through this project have allowed the Richter Library to establish a technological foundation on which future digital projects can easily be built.Use & Evaluation:
A significant aspect of any project is evaluating its usage. While time and staffing constraints have deterred an in-depth assessment during the course of this project, the Library recognizes the importance of this activity and is incorporating it into ongoing activities.Comments
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