Digitization and researcher demand: Digital imaging workflows at the University of Maryland Libraries

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the challenges that special collections repositories face when creating digital surrogates driven by researcher demand, to link these digitization issues with archival practice, and to provide recommendations for improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Presents an overview of the development of the University of Maryland Libraries' digital imaging workflows and a critique of current practices.

Findings

A viable digital repository can be built from surrogates created in response to researcher demand, but there are limitations to this approach, with opportunity for improvement.

Research limitations/implications

As a case study, this paper is limited to one institution's perspective.

Practical implications

Provides insight into constructing and managing digitization programs at special collections repositories.

Originality/value

This paper offers a case study approach for an institutional digital repository influenced heavily by researcher demand, in contrast to a digital repository constructed with a more structured plan.

Citation

Novara, E.A. (2010), "Digitization and researcher demand: Digital imaging workflows at the University of Maryland Libraries", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 166-176. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650751011073616