Preparing Collections for Digitization
1st Edition
Published on 16. December 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-85604-711-1 (ISBN)
Description
Most libraries, archives and museums around the globe are now confronting the challenges of providing digital access to their collections. As digitization becomes more widespread, there is huge demand for detailed guidance on best practice. While much has been written on the theory, these practical aspects have often been neglected, but they are significant not only in safeguarding the collection during image capture but also in ensuring that projects run smoothly and the resulting digital collection is of high quality.
This practical guide fills that gap, offering guidance covering the end-to-end process of digitizing collections, from selecting records for digitization to choosing suppliers and equipment and dealing with documents that present individual problems. As such, it can be used as a 'how-to' reference manual for collection managers who are embarking on a digitization project or who are managing an existing project. It also covers some of the wider issues such as the use of surrogates for preservation, and the long term sustainability of digital access. Key areas covered are:
* digitization in the context of collection management * before you digitize: resources, suppliers and surrogates * the digital image * the process of selection * surveying collections * equipment for image capture * preparation of document formats and fastenings * preparation of damaged documents * setting up the imaging operation.
Readership: A clearly-written guide to a complex process, this book is an essential resource for all collection and project managers who have responsibility for the preservation of archival collections, as well as all industry professionals whose role touches on the digitization of collections.
This practical guide fills that gap, offering guidance covering the end-to-end process of digitizing collections, from selecting records for digitization to choosing suppliers and equipment and dealing with documents that present individual problems. As such, it can be used as a 'how-to' reference manual for collection managers who are embarking on a digitization project or who are managing an existing project. It also covers some of the wider issues such as the use of surrogates for preservation, and the long term sustainability of digital access. Key areas covered are:
* digitization in the context of collection management * before you digitize: resources, suppliers and surrogates * the digital image * the process of selection * surveying collections * equipment for image capture * preparation of document formats and fastenings * preparation of damaged documents * setting up the imaging operation.
Readership: A clearly-written guide to a complex process, this book is an essential resource for all collection and project managers who have responsibility for the preservation of archival collections, as well as all industry professionals whose role touches on the digitization of collections.
Reviews / Votes
"... an extremely valuable addition to the literature on digitization. It should be of interest to all involved in the digitization of documentary records and textual materials." - Ardiadne "... an extremely valuable addition to the literature on digitization. It should be of interest to all involved in the digitization of documentary records and textual materials." "...a valuable resource for all collection and project managers who have responsibility for the preservation of archival collections, as well as industry professionals whose role touches on the digitisation of collections" -- MmIT Journal "What this book demonstrates is the importance of developing a strong partnership and mutual understanding between those who are responsible for the digital inputs (the collection managers) and those responsible for the digital outputs (the digitisation professionals). Both groups will be well served by this book." -- Library and Information Research "A practical approach is at the heart of this publication. How to evaluate the nature and extent of physical damage of collection items? What are the possible ways to deal with document formats and fastenings to achieve good imaging quality without compromising preservation objectives? What equipment should be selected to reach both digital imaging and preservation goals? How a digital imaging workflow should be organised to accommodate document preparation and conservation tasks? These are just several examples of questions addressed in different chapters. The extensive experience of both authors in digitising and preserving heritage collections at the National Archives of the United Kingdom and the case studies presented in all chapters add more value to this publication." -- The Electronic Library "...An extremely valuable addition to the literature on digitization. It should be of interest to all involved in the digitization of documentary records and textual materials." -- Ariadne "...An extremely valuable addition to the literature on digitization. It should be of interest to all involved in the digitization of documentary records and textual materials." -- AriadneMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Professional Practice & Development
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
145 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85604-711-1 (9781856047111)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Anna E. Buelow | Jess Ahmon
Preparing Collections for Digitization
E-Book
12/2010
1st Edition
Facet Publishing
from
€74.39
Available for download
Persons
Dr Anna E. Bulow is Head of Preservation at The National Archives. She is editor of the Journal of Paper Conservation and has written and presented on a wide range of subjects including degradation mechanisms of paper, environmental monitoring and control, risk assessment and digitization.
Jess Ahmon MA MSc is Preservation Officer at The National Archives. She has given a number of presentations on the challenges of digitization of original documents, most recently at the Digital Futures training programme run by King's College London.
Jess Ahmon MA MSc is Preservation Officer at The National Archives. She has given a number of presentations on the challenges of digitization of original documents, most recently at the Digital Futures training programme run by King's College London.
Content
1. Digitization in the context of collection management
Introduction
The impact of new technologies
Collection management
Access to content and context
Planning and processing with minimal risk
The four phases of digitization
Fitting digitization into collection management
Chapter summary
Bibliography
2. Before you digitize: resources, suppliers and surrogates
Introduction
Impact on the institution
Choosing to outsource
The role of microfilm
Chapter summary
Bibliography
3. The digital image - Ross Spencer
Introduction
Basic concepts
Post-processing
Image specification
Setting a standard
Chapter summary
Bibliography
4. The process of selection
Introduction
A strategy for digitization
The principles and process of selection
Prioritization
Special collections
Chapter summary
Bibliography
5. Surveying collections
Introduction
Why do a survey?
Conducting a survey
Analysing data and making recommendations
Chapter summary
Bibliography
6. Equipment for image capture
Introduction
Risks during imaging
Features to consider
Types of equipment
Selecting and testing
Chapter summary
Bibliography
7. Preparation of document formats and fastenings
Introduction
Preparing formats and fastenings
Fitting preparation into the workflow
Chapter summary
Bibliography
8. Preparation of damaged documents
Introduction
Is conservation work always needed?
Treatment options
Documentation
Fitting conservation work into the workflow
Chapter summary
Bibliography
9. Setting up the imaging operation
Introduction
Working environment
Workflow and document tracking
Staffing
Chapter summary
Bibliography
Conclusion
Further reading
General guidelines
The digital image
Equipment for image capture
Introduction
The impact of new technologies
Collection management
Access to content and context
Planning and processing with minimal risk
The four phases of digitization
Fitting digitization into collection management
Chapter summary
Bibliography
2. Before you digitize: resources, suppliers and surrogates
Introduction
Impact on the institution
Choosing to outsource
The role of microfilm
Chapter summary
Bibliography
3. The digital image - Ross Spencer
Introduction
Basic concepts
Post-processing
Image specification
Setting a standard
Chapter summary
Bibliography
4. The process of selection
Introduction
A strategy for digitization
The principles and process of selection
Prioritization
Special collections
Chapter summary
Bibliography
5. Surveying collections
Introduction
Why do a survey?
Conducting a survey
Analysing data and making recommendations
Chapter summary
Bibliography
6. Equipment for image capture
Introduction
Risks during imaging
Features to consider
Types of equipment
Selecting and testing
Chapter summary
Bibliography
7. Preparation of document formats and fastenings
Introduction
Preparing formats and fastenings
Fitting preparation into the workflow
Chapter summary
Bibliography
8. Preparation of damaged documents
Introduction
Is conservation work always needed?
Treatment options
Documentation
Fitting conservation work into the workflow
Chapter summary
Bibliography
9. Setting up the imaging operation
Introduction
Working environment
Workflow and document tracking
Staffing
Chapter summary
Bibliography
Conclusion
Further reading
General guidelines
The digital image
Equipment for image capture