When you hear digital librarians talk of scale in massive digital library projects, you may wonder if their techniques might "scale-down." Some of the most unique content lies in the collections of small or medium-sized libraries, archives, museums, or historical society. Your patrons are accustomed to getting all manner of cool-stuff over the internet, and they expect your find their community's history and heritage there too. While the conversation on large-scale digital projects is hard to understand, Jane D. Monson offers well-researched , clear explanations that will cut through the jargon and acronyms. Smaller institutions with creativity, flexibility, and resourcefulness have always ways past the limitations of staffing and infrastructure. Even if you're a solo digital librarian working only part-time in digital collections, this book will help you get started with advice on such topics as:How to harness existing workflows, especially in departments seeing a decline in workload.The pros and cons of the two common service models for state and regional digital repositories.How to evaluate and choose among the digital collection management systems, comparing four proprietary and six open source systems.Choices in metadata models MODS, VRA Core, Dublin Core Element Set, and EAD. Understanding the characteristics of various file formats and using them effectively to create master and derivative files. Bitstream copying, data redundancy and other strategies to preserve digital files against media degradation and technological obsolescence. Section 18 copyright exemptions for cultural heritage institutions. Hardware options for image captureFROM PROJECT PROPOSALIncreasingly libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions seek to digitize unique images or research materials to make them available on the Web both for their institutional use and also for an external audience. These projects require broad knowledge and skills-- media production, content management systems, copyright, metadata, and preservations. In small and medium-sized institutions, which lack dedicated digital library teams, librarians must wear many hats or collaborate with colleagues scattered across the departments. In a conversational style, this book offers a starting point for readers who have little or no experience with digital projects. Readers will learn not only how to conduct digital projects, but to do so in circumstances that may be less than ideal.
