digitisation planning for libraries
TRANSCRIPT
Calum DowThurs 12th November 2015
Our Partners…
1. Start with formal Goals
2. Communication
3. What to Digitise
4. Image Outputs & Resolutions
5. Plan for Access
Digitisation Planning - 5 Key Points
Start with Formal Goals Specify the desired outcomes
for the project
Why are you digitising?
Who will be the core users of your digitised archive?
Ideal timescale for completion?
These goals will guide & inform all other planning decisions
Vital to clearly communicate your project goals to your digitisation supplier
Including the end purpose of the digitised images and project deadlines
Ensure the supplier is happy to update you at each stage of the project
Communication
Collections in greatest demand? At greatest risk? Most unique?
Likely a compromise of one of the above and what available budget allows
Good start point - “What if the building was on fire?”
Assess if items are suitable for digitisation – is any conservation needed?
What to Digitise
Selection depends on: Analogue media being digitised End goals of the project
Capture master images in open-source non-proprietary format
We recommend initially capturing to uncompressed RGB Baseline TIFF
Image Output Formats & Resolutions
Creating a digital archive for preservation is great: BUT must be accessible to users
These could be internal staff or external – such as general public
Internal: archive management system? External: online archive website?
Tag metadata to enable effective keyword and category searching
Ensure you own the copyright if publishing digital archive online
Plan for Access
1. Start with formal Goals
2. Communication
3. What to Digitise
4. Image Outputs & Resolutions
5. Plan for Access
Digitisation Planning. Remember…
Look beyond just price per scan
Ensure any quotes being compared are like-for-like
Consider: Type of digitisation equipment used Image output quality and
interpolation Location of digitisation: UK based?
Digitisation - Cost vs Value
Preparing for Scanning
On Location or Off-site
The Digitisation Process
Practical Considerations
Info about the collection Condition report? Organised/catalogued? Fold outs or inserts?
Professional digitisation suppliers will want to send someone to assess the collection first
Preparing for Scanning
On Location digitisation Extremely rare/fragile collections Unsafe to move or unacceptable risk Not always suitable for larger materials
(A2+ size)
Off-site digitisation At suppliers imaging studio/lab Better imaging due to controlled
lighting More efficient: avoids set up/calibration *Usually* more cost effective option
On Location or Off-site
Bound Books Gutter Shadowing – Managed lighting Page Curvature – Book cradles Bindings, foldouts and inserts
Microfilm Quality of original images Film degradation
Newspaper/Magazines Creases & folds Paper degradation
Digitising the Materials
Thank You – Questions?
Calum Dow [email protected] 01536 713834Follow @TownsWeb on Twitter
Planning Digitisation Projects – Best Practice tipshttps://www.townswebarchiving.com/2014/09/planning-digitisation-projects-a-best-practice-tips/
Sources of Funding for Digitisation Projectshttps://www.townswebarchiving.com/2014/11/sources-funding-for-heritage-digitisation-projects/
More useful info and advice: