Digitization Projects at UNLV Libraries

In the first months on the job this summer, Dean Patty Iannuzzi asked me to write a white paper compiling important questions that need to be addressed to help direct the future of digitization projects at the Libraries. Library staff can access the paper on the Libraries staff website. As a result of the paper, the Libraries hosted an all-staff professional development event last week.

On Friday, November 17 UNLV Libraries welcomed Roy Tennant from the California Digital Library and Ann Lally from the University of Washington to speak at a day-long workshop for library staff, campus collaborators (History department, Fine Arts department, Office of Information Technology), and regional libraries (University of Nevada Reno, Nevada State College).The presenters shared their expertise growing and building successful digital library programs and addressed issues relating to digitization projects in academic libraries. Turnout was high for both the morning session and the afternoon panel discussions, where library staff participated by asking questions and discussing a variety of topics.

Audience questions included:
How do you select and prioritize projects?
How do we set the stage for the creation of sharable metadata?
How can we market digital collections and how can digital collections market the Libraries?

Quotes summing up the themes of the day:
"Only librarians like to search, users like to find!" (Roy Tennant)
"CONTENTdm's greatest strength is its ability to support collaboration." (Ann Lally)
"Digital collections often result in higher physical use of the originals." (Ann Lally)
"Break down information silos and aggregate materials." (Roy Tennant)

The workshop proved to be a great success and the whole library seemed abuzz with renewed enthusiasm. Many library staff expressed enthusiastic comments and shared their personal interest in digitization and WDS hopes to channel this energy into a continuing dialogue and committment to future digital projects.

From the Digitization Policy Task Force of ALA's Office for Information Technology Policy come the Draft Principles for Digitized Content. The Digitization Principles Blog states in the introduction:

The accelerating mass digitization of collections in libraries and cultural heritage institutions demands a framework of principles and a body of policy to guide decision making and to enable values-driven choices. The principles for the digitization of content will provoke a review of American Library Association policies that address the creation, access, use and preservation of digital materials and that require revision, enhancement and creation.

The principles start off with the clear mandate that traditional library values apply to digital libraries. It continues with principles addressing the need for communication, collaboration, standards, and sustainability. There is also a principle highlighting the international and global reach of digital libraries.

Principle 1

Digital libraries ARE libraries. The policies of the Association apply fully to digital libraries including the core values such as commitment to access, confidentiality/privacy, the public good, and professionalism.

Principle 6

Digital collections increasingly address an international audience. These collections are part of a global information infrastructure that is not limited by geography.

Principle 7

Digital collections are developed and sustained by an educated workforce. Members of the cultural heritage professions must engage in continuous learning and be able to explore new technology, to work with new partners, and to reach new audiences.

It is exciting to see ALA put forth a document for community discussion and revision. Provided is an online area for comments and participation. These discussions are integral to the development of individual digitization programs and for the development of broader library and information policy.

On Friday, March 23 I will be participating in a panel discussion at the OASIS 2007 Conference at the Siena Hotel in Reno, NV. The title of the panel is: Museums, Libraries, and Archives in a Digital World. From the program:

What digital projects exist in Nevada and can we transform our ‘silos’ of information into an accessible Nevada Digital Library and Archives? Join Jeff Kintop, Glee Willis, Cory Lampert and Peter Michel to discuss these topics as well as standards for imaging, metadata, cataloging and indexing, and copyright issues of images, photographs, documents, newspapers and other publications.

This will be a nice opportunity to "take the pulse" on what is occuring state-wide in relation to digitization intiatives and future collaborations. I will be travelling with UNLV'S Director of Special Collections, Peter Michel and I am looking forward to seeing my counterpart; the wonderful Glee Willis, Digital Projects Librarian at the University of Nevada Reno. Jeff Kintop is the State Archive Manager at the Nevada State Library and Archives and I look forward to meeting him as well.

Unfortunately, my usual fear of flying is just about kicking in...so my excitement will be tempered with a nice dose of dread until we are back on terra firma in Las Vegas.