Digitizing special collections: to boldly go where we've been before
Abstract
Purpose
Aims to present issues related to digitization in the context of the historical role and purpose of academic special collections.
Design/methodology/approach
Presents a comparison of current issues related to digitization to historical issues related to the management of traditional print special collections.
Findings
The current issues are not new. Technology has not dramatically altered the role of special collections in academic libraries.
Research limitations/implications
Based on personal observation and experience and an awareness of issues, but essentially a personal viewpoint.
Practical implications
May provide non‐special collections librarians with a better understanding of, or different perspective on, the popular notion of “digitizing special collections” and of special collections historically and generally.
Originality/value
This is the viewpoint of an experienced head of special collections, a trained academic historian, and someone who has been involved in a number of digital projects.
Keywords
Citation
Michel, P. (2005), "Digitizing special collections: to boldly go where we've been before", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 23 No. 3, pp. 379-395. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830510621793
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited