Vongdeuane, Johnny 

Archives in News 

In this CNN news, this new 3D scan technology will help digitize 3D materials in the archive's collections. The archives have other materials besides paper records. Archivists must manage the digital collections, so it does not overshadow the physical collections. Archivists must create “indexes that refer to the contents of a physical collection, in the hope that they will entice researchers away from their computers to travel far and wide to see tangible artifacts. While the Internet boom has made information more accessible and widespread than ever, that very ubiquity also threatens records and artifacts that do not easily lend themselves to digitization — because of cost, but also because Web surfers and more devoted data hounds simply find it easier to go online than to travel far and wide to see tangible artifacts” (Hafner, 2007). 

There are many pros and cons about digitization. Traditional analog materials can last a long time if they are well preserved and rarely used, but archivists want the collections to be used. The handling of the records will eventually cause wear and tears over time. "Digitization would allow much broader access to the contents...without exposing the physical manuscripts to added handling" (Hafner, 2007). Physical records can be easily destroyed when the unexpected happens like war. Digital files will last longer and do not take up physical space in the archives’ storage. Having a digital archive will allow more accessibility worldwide. The “new generation of researchers prefers to seek information online” so “putting collections online, for both preservation and accessibility” will help preserve “history that are at risk of disappearing or being ignored in the digital age” (Hafner, 2007). 

Archivists understand the importance of digitization but the issues for archivists are due to staffing, time and most importantly funding. Most archives cannot digitize everything in their holdings. Larger archives with huge collections do not have the time and staffing to do this, even though they have larger staff because archivists have other duties, they are responsible for. Also, “technology and copyright complications are huge impediments” (Hafner, 2007). For a digitization project, a team might include the archivist, a metadata librarian, a preservation librarian, a subject specialist, a programmer, or systems librarian, and/or a cataloger. Due to the rapid advancement of technology, checking if the software is up to date is necessary. “Working with the IT department is crucial to ensure that researchers can use these materials today and tomorrow. Technical metadata to detail file formats, resolutions, color profiles, and other information identifying a file's type and characterizing its content, it becomes really challenging to provide access to these records. If files are migrated, it is strongly recommended that the original file format be preserved to allow verification of success or other conversion actions in the future” (Prof. Lawrimore). The problem for digitization is cost. “Archivists at the Library of Congress say. Plans to digitize The National Intelligencer, a newspaper published in Washington during much of the 19th century and filled with colonial script not easily recognized by digitizing equipment, eventually had to be put on hold because of the high expense” (Hafner, 2007). 

The archivists' goal is to preserve history and to share it with present and future generations. If digitization will help promote and bring in funding, archivists will do it. Also, funding is required before digitization can be accomplished. 

 

References 

CNN. (2022, February). See how 3D scans could save Ukraine's culture. https://www.cnn.com/videos/style/2022/05/10/backup-ukraine-heritage-sites-lon-orig-na.cnn 

Hafner, K. (2007, March 10). History, digitized (and abridged). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/10/business/yourmoney/11archive.html 

Prof. Lawrimore. (2023). INFO 256 lecture.

Zine Digitization Project

Patrick Sperry

PS

Bossaller, Jenny, Martin, Dylan, & Smith, Seth. (2018). Digitizing Local Zines in Public Libraries. Public Libraries, 57(6), 23.

This article is focused on a specific digitization project (called the Community History Archive, or CHA) at Daniel Boone Regional Library (DBRL) a Missouri library system. The focus of the project is to digitize and preserve local do-it-yourself (DIY) magazines, or "zines". What differentiates a zine from a tradition magazine is that a zine is often created by a single person and printed, stapled, and distributed independently. Zines can be of any topic, but often have a local focus in subject matter. Many libraries have zine collections. The New York Public Library possesses 136 zines in their collection, and explain "Collecting zines in libraries is important because they document contemporary popular culture, making them important primary source material for future scholarship, plus they’re a lot of fun!” ("Zines at the New York Public Library," 2020). 

The digitization project was undertaken without a grant and items were catalogued with an open-source software platform called Collective Access, which was easily integrated into the library's website and was also mobile-friendly. Although the software was free, some of the stumbling blocks outlined in the article concern knowledge, hardware and project time horizons. Working knowledge of HTML/XML is needed to produce a professional-looking database, scanners and photo-editing software are required, and a time horizon of 3-5 years to complete the project is a realistic projection.

Reference

Zines at The New York Public Library. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.nypl.org/about/divisions/general-research-division/periodicals-room/zines

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Print Collections Management in the Wake of Digitization

Richers, Katherine

Sammonds, L. I., & Housewright, R. (2011). Print collections management in the wake of digitization. The Serials Librarian, 61(2), 193-195. doi:10.1080/0361526X.2011.591039

 

Summary:

ITHAKA S+R conducts surveys about scholarly publishing with faculty from American four-year universities. They have been doing so since the year 2000. Sample population is 3,000 respondents from different disciplines, age groups and experience levels. While more and more faculty are becoming comfortable with using electronic resources over print, not many faculty members are comfortable with replacing entire print collections in campus libraries with electronically accessible resources. It is suggested that this reluctance may be to the perceived stability of print collections. Out of five functions of an academic library suggested in the survey, the gateway function isn’t considered as vital as it used to be. Besides the survey, a framework for collection weeding (What to Withdraw framework) was also presented to the same population. In both cases (the survey and the framework) the researcher suggested that collection weeding and expanding electronic collections should also be based on what the community the library serves wants. In terms of weeding, the researcher from ITHAKA S+R noted that libraries often need to keep print materials to meet preservation goals. If libraries work together then they can tackle weeding choices more effectively.

 Evaluation:

This article is short but raises some interesting questions about collection weeding and the emotions associated with it. I found the part about print collections giving the impression of stability interesting.  Considering the amount of debate over internet censorship and how we as information professionals are supposed to help our patrons find what they need, how dependable are electronic sources? These sources cost money (for instance, database subscriptions) and poor infrastructure may not permit electronic access. I come from a low-income to middle class community and not everyone has consistent, good quality web access.  I think both print and electronic materials should be kept in a collection.

 

Issues in URL Management for Digital Collections

Caroline Pallone

IC

Cohen, L. (2004). Issues in URL management for digital collections. Information Technology and Libraries, 23(2), 42-49. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/docview/215831747?accountid=10361 

Summary

This article is about a smaller but no less important issue within the digital collection management process for library management, and that is URL management. This is a detailed and difficult but no less vital process, according to Cohen. "The modern library typically maintains a hybrid collection of print -based materials along with digital resources. While standards and practices for maintaining print -based collections have a long history, libraries are faced with a myriad of new issues in the management of networked digital collection" (2004). The author also points out, "URLs come in many formats, and each should be utilized in the appropriate context. A full -or absolute -URL must always be used to link to a file located on a site that is external to the one in which the link is embedded. This type of outbound URL consists of the following structure: protocol://host. second -level -domain.t op -lev el domain:port/localpath/filename" (2004). The reason this is so important, Cohen explains, is because the number of URLS that need maintaining and cataloging is going to be on the rise in the near future as more items are digitized. This will soon become an important part of the job description for librarians, and it needs to be studied and made more apparent for future librarians.

Evaluation

The reason I believe this article is beneficial is because it talks about a more niche but still important market within the library world. It is all encompassing and informative about a subject that many have not heard of, but should be made aware of. The author makes sure that everyone knows by the end that this is not a field where are URLs can be lumped together, but instead each one must be maintained meticulously. The more people that know about this issue within digitizing articles, the better. 

Library Digitization Projects, Issues and Guidelines

Caroline Pallone

LG

Lopatin, L. (2006). Library digitization projects, issues and guidelines. Library Hi Tech, 24(2), 273. doi:http://dx.doi.org.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/10.1108/07378830610669637 

Summary

This article talks about the process of digitizing collection items in a library and how pronounced this has become. However, it is also a long process, but an important one as well. As more people move to digital media to access their books, libraries need to keep up and make these materials available online. Lopatin says, "Since, the early 1990s libraries have been embarking on digitization projects to provide access to and to preserve unique materials in their collections" (2006). The author also says, "Access and preservation of materials are the major reasons that libraries are undertaking digitization projects. Through digitization, the library is able to provide access to all sorts of materials - text, photographs, manuscripts, audio, and moving image materials. Digitization also allows for the preservation of rare, fragile, and unique materials" (2006). What the article ultimately is trying to convey is that digitization is vital for a library's survival, and thankfully there is plenty of literature exploring this subject, as well as the process that library managers go through in order to digitize items.

Evaluation

I chose this article because I liked how not only did it explain some of the major issues facing those that digitize items in collections, but also evaluated the literature available on digitizing items in collections. It gives people an insightful look at the genre, and those that want a comprehensive look at the field would benefit greatly from this article. It is also comprehensive and informative, and the issues it touches on really hits home.  

Cartoons?! Digitizing and Cataloging Challenges...

Nguyen, Jennifer

 

Citation:

Dyer, M. A. (2014). Full Speed Ahead: The Challenges of Cataloging a Historic Editorial Cartoon Collection. Art Documentation: Journal of the Art Libraries Society of North America, 33(2) 279-294.

Summary/Notes:

This article is about the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Libraries digitizing [the Charles Henry Sykes Cartoon Collection] of original editorial or political cartoons from the 1940s. Multiple library departments and staff involved in the project included the digital collections systems librarian, the digital specialist, the Digital Scanning Unit, and the metadata catalog librarian. There were cataloging issues due to missing or lack of information about cartoons donated. Image cataloging issues surrounding what the image is of versus what image is about. Scholars scrutinize the lack of cultural context provided with image digitized. And Dyer, wants us to note importance of text used in cartoon, as there aren’t many text used to begin with. Some solutions found were to obtain original newspaper and editorials the cartoons were printed in, document and note front pages of newspaper that contains cartoon to figure out the context of the cartoon. Only with context would we understand the humor of the cartoons drawn by Sykes’.

 

Reflection:

I was looking for ways and how librarians digitize images while researching for presentation 4. I tried to understand the process of digitization so that I can mention it in the digitization of a collection at the academic library I have been studying all semester. This article showed a whole other dimension of digitization that I hadn’t thought of before: cataloging and digitizing dated materials. It wasn’t as simple as I had thought of it. Apparently, it isn’t as easy as scanning and inputting the metadata information. Dyer does a great job explicating how cartoons work, the context and information to catalog, and additional research needed to fully catalog one cartoon image.

This makes me think about how Instagram functions. Images are often posted, but the source, creator, or information isn’t mentioned, just a partial caption underneath the image. Instagram will make it hard for information professionals to categorize or search for images there. But Instagram has hashtags. Some hashtags often used have nothing to do with the image, but more about what the person posting the image has done. Heck, even I have had trouble searching for a restaurant or place I randomly found an image of on Instagram. It takes me an extra 2 to 20 minutes following hashtags, tagged profiles, and locations to find an art exhibit.

            Overall, read this article if you’re thinking about cataloging, digitizing, and working with images during your librarianship. Dyer writes an easy and coherent article about VCU, Sykes, and the struggles of cataloging historical editorial cartoons.

Do School Libraries Need to Have Books?

TVOParents Your Voice (May 23, 2010). Do school libraries need to have books?. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ULqg9qsbg7o?t=8m41s

A panel interview with Toronto librarians discusses whether books are still necessary in the age of digitization.  Are school libraries full of books an old fashioned notion?  These librarians say definitely no!  Variety of materials and library spaces that encourage imagination, ideas, creativity and most of all a love of reading is purported as the foundation of a strong school library.  Start watching at 8:39 to see the interviewees delve deeper into this topic.  While this video was hosted in 2010, nearly six years later I see the same pressures affecting school librarians and school library programs.  It is important to weigh the pros and cons of each type of format, whether print or digital, ideally having both to build an information/idea rich environment.  The other important aspect is taking stock in what patrons need and want when considering digital vs. print materials.

J. Hasselberger
Spring 2016

What to Withdraw?

Amy Kumar

Schonfeld, R. C., Housewright, R., & Ithaka S + R. (2009). What to withdraw?: Print collections management in the wake of digitization. United States: Ithaka S + R.

Summary
The large scale digitization initiatives across libraries have changed the way libraries weed their print collections. The current review methods for determining what gets weeded and what stays is based on local considerations, accessibility to digital copies, and funding. This article addressed these issues and asks two important questions: "Which types of print journals can libraries withdraw responsibly today, and how can that set of materials be expanded to allow libraries the maximum possible flexibility?" (Schonfeld & Housewright, 2). The analysis finds several reasons to retain print copies, including poor digital preservation quality, unreliable systems requirements, visual components that may not be digitally preservable, and campus politics. Results concluded that there is a need to keep "at least one print copy of well-digitized digitally preserved text-only materials to be available for at least 20 years" (Schonfeld & Housewright, 2).
Analysis
This is a very useful study for collection managers, as it not only picks apart the current issues surrounding print and digital preservation, but it included recommended "action steps" that librarians can take in order to address these issues. These best practices are recommended in the case of responsible withdrawals, and the various cases in which visual materials are not well digitized. The intersection between collection development and preservation is also addressed, and I find this an important point to make, as the future of our libraries depend on collection development that addresses both digital issues and print. The article ends on a solid point: "We are confident that by taking a pragmatic, well-reasoned approach to these issues, the community can achieve consensus around print preservation that allows for appropriate print collection management in the digital age" (Schonfeld & Housewright, 24). Every collection manager should at least be aware of this article (available as an ebook) in making weeding decisions.  

Beyond the scanned image: A needs assessment of scholarly users of digital collections

Kimura, Camden

Green, H.E., & Courtney, A. (2015). Beyond the scanned image: A needs assessment of scholarly users of digital collections. College & Research Libraries, 76(5), 690-707. doi:10.5860/crl.76.5.690

Summary: In this article, Green and Courtney (2015) report the results of their research on the needs of faculty in digital collections. Through the course of interviews with fine arts faculty and a survey of English and history faculty, they discovered that digital collections are not created with faculty needs in mind. Among the highest needs for image, text, and multimedia collections were better metadata, searchability, searchable text, and the ability to download images and multimedia (Green and Courtney, 2015, p. 695).  Overall, these interviewed and surveyed academics were not satisfied by the functionality of the digital collections that they used. This has very little to do with content, but rather with usability.  Green and Courtney conclude that digital collections need a “user-centered focus” to be of most use to academics (2015, p. 701).

Evaluation: The bad: this research probably has interesting results and implications, but Green and Courtney watered down the presentation of results so much that there is not nearly enough information for the reader to do much of anything. I would have liked more information so I could properly assess whether or not their conclusions were reasonable or even have some deeper context for their conclusions. The good: what little they do present in the paper is extremely valuable for those creating and curating digital collections, even outside of academia; usability is the most important part of digital collections. Green and Courtney conclude that users must be engaged at nearly every point in the creation of digital collections. I think this is good (albeit a bit obvious) advice for any creating digital collections. We must be first with concerned users, almost over content; if our digital collections are not created in such a way that users can use the collection the way they need to, then we have failed to create a good digital collection. Once we have determined what the users need and especially how the users will be using the collection, then we can focus on curating content. This will create the best digital collection for our users.

The Project Gutenberg for TV/Film/Radio History Buffs

Laudato, Maricar

Moorefield-Lang, H. (2014). Ideas for using AASL best websites: Media history digital library. Retrieved from http://www.aasl.ala.org/aaslblog/?p=5317.

Summary

In this article, Heather Moorefield-Lang outlines the plethora of newly digitized classic media periodicals that have been added to the public domain by the non-profit project, The Media History Digital Library. The Media History Digital Library houses more than 1.3 million scanned documents relating to TV, film, and radio history. Information professionals would also appreciate the availability of cataloging information made available on the site.

Evaluation

Named as being one of AASL’s best websites, The Media History Digital Library is a web resource that information professionals should familiarize themselves with as soon as possible. This library is to TV/film/radio history in a similar vein in which Project Gutenberg is to classic literature. The Media History Digital Library can be found here: http://mediahistoryproject.org/