preparing:are you ready?

Mary MolinaroDirector, Preservation and Digital Programs

choosing content

an art or a science?

back to basics

decision factors

•enhance access•value of the content•preservation•other factors

decision factors•legal right to digitize?•add value with other collections?

•unique?•technically feasible?

partnering

•value added in context with other collections?

•can you find partners?

long-term commitment

is the value of the digital

object worth:–storing?–migrating?

long-term commitment

•do you have the needed infrastructure?

•if not, can you get it?

now let’s talk microfilm...

considerations with film

all of the above PLUS…

considerations with film

•condition of the film•access to master negative

considerations with film

•costs and benefits•additional technical challenges

•can be faster

plus…

the film can serve as a preservation copy

which project first?

•books?•newspapers?

resources

assessing resources

•physical infrastructure•human resources•funding

assessing resources

•physical infrastructure•human resources•funding

building a team

•analyze strengths and weaknesses

•take advantage of lucky breaks

•create an atmosphere of success

building a team

•try to leverage everyone’s strengths

•provide opportunities to grow

•try to have fun

assessing resources

•physical infrastructure•human resources•funding

securing funding•do you have funding already?

•can you secure permanent funding?

•can you repurpose resources?

securing funding•can you find a partner?•can you write a grant?

securing grant funding

questions to ask yourself

•can we do the work?•do we have the

infrastructure?•can we meet the cost share?•do we have the staff?

preparing

•read the announcement and then read it again

•read the instructions and then read them again

preparing

•what will your workflow be?

•who will do the work?

preparing

•give yourself plenty of time

•talk to the program officers

•read the guidelines

writing your proposal

•tell specifically why your project should be funded

•make sure your support materials are strong

writing your proposal

•everything in the proposal should be relevant

•tell a story•don’t use unnecessary jargon•make it a good read

writing your proposal

•make sure the budget corresponds to the narrative – perfectly!

•demonstrate technical and subject knowledge

writing your proposal

•focus your project - Is what you are proposing feasible?

•make sure your plan of work makes sense

•proofread carefully

polishing your proposal

•edit the narrative so it is in one voice

•make sure the proposal is visually appealing and easy to read

•check the details

in any case…

•ask to see the reviewers comments

in summary…

weigh all factors

explore many possibilities

think strategically

seize opportunities

have fun!!!