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1 – 10 of over 2000Digital library managers are faced with growing pressure to digitize materials efficiently on a larger scale. This paper aims to address the staffing and other resources needed to…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital library managers are faced with growing pressure to digitize materials efficiently on a larger scale. This paper aims to address the staffing and other resources needed to evolve smaller scope operations into teams capable of outputting larger-scale production.
Design/methodology/approach
Much of the current literature focuses on philosophy of these projects and issues of metadata and user access. In contrast, this article seeks to supply the much-needed practical information for digital library managers who need to take immediate action to meet new mandates and reach higher target goals within the constraints of limited resources.
Findings
The author will provide an overview of resources needed to increase digitization output and provide an analysis of three key resources that can be targeted by digital library managers in a range of environments. These resources will be examined with practical advice given on how new staffing configurations, outsourcing of materials and high-efficiency equipment can be implemented in phases.
Originality/value
This paper examines the gap between smaller-scale digitization and successful large-scale projects, and offers several possible scenarios for organizations to consider as they choose to move forward in a way that suits their goals. The focus of this study is neither on the rationale for large-scale digitization nor on the detailed specifications for large-scale digitization workflows. Rather, it will outline the types of resources (internal and external), decision points and specific practical strategies for digital library managers seeking to start ramping up the production.
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The purpose of this study is to assess the use of digital collections created via the large-scale digitization of archival collections. The large-scale digitization method…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the use of digital collections created via the large-scale digitization of archival collections. The large-scale digitization method specifically examined is the reuse of archival description from finding aids to create digital collections that consist mainly of compound digital objects, equivalent to a folder of items, minimally described at the aggregate level. This paper compares Web analytics data for two large-scale digital collections and one digital collection with rich, item-level description.
Design/methodology/approach
This study analyzed one year of Web analytics for three digital collections. The main research question of this study is: Are digital collections of minimally described compound objects used less than digital collections of richly described single objects?
Findings
This study found that the large-scale digital collections analyzed received less use than the traditional item-level collection, when examined at the item level. At the object level, the large-scale collections did not always receive less use than the traditional item-level collection.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to three different digital collections from one institution. Web analytics also represent a limited interpretation of “use.”
Practical implications
This study presents a method for other institutions to assess their own large-scale digitization efforts and contributes to the profession’s understanding of the impact of large-scale digitization.
Originality/value
This paper is unique because it uses Web analytics to compare the use of large-scale digital collections to the use of traditional boutique digital collections.
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Joyce Chapman and Samantha Leonard
The purpose of this paper is to provide much needed data to staff working with archival digitization on cost and benefit of visual checks during quality control workflows, and to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide much needed data to staff working with archival digitization on cost and benefit of visual checks during quality control workflows, and to encourage those in the field of digitization to take a data-driven approach to planning and workflow development as they transition into large-scale digitization.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a case study of a cost benefit analysis at the Triangle Research Libraries Network. Data were tracked on time spent performing visual checks compared to scanning production and error type/discovery rates for the consortial grant “Content, context, and capacity: a collaborative large-scale digitization project on the long civil rights movement in North Carolina”.
Findings
Findings show that 85 percent of time was spent scanning and 15 percent was spent on quality control with visual checks of every scan. Only one error was discovered for every 223 scans reviewed (0.4 percent of scans). Of the six types of error identified, only half cause critical user experience issues. Of all errors detected, only 32 percent fell into the critical category. One critical error was found for every 700 scans (0.1 percent of scans). If all the time spent performing visual checks were instead spent on scanning, production would have increased by 18 percent. Folders with 100 or more scans comprised only 11.5 percent of all folders and 37 percent of folders in this group contained errors (for comparison, only 8 percent of folders with 50 or more scans contained errors). Additionally, 52 percent of all critical errors occurred in these folders. The errors in larger folders represented 30 percent of total errors, and performing visual checks on the large folders required 32 percent of all visual check time.
Practical implications
The data gathered during this research can be repurposed by others wishing to consider or conduct cost benefit analysis of visual check workflows for large-scale digitization.
Originality/value
To the authors' knowledge, this is the only available dataset on rate of error detection and error type compared to time spent on quality control visual checks in digitization.
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The purpose of this paper is to evaluate current approaches to assessing digitisation activities in memory institutions.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate current approaches to assessing digitisation activities in memory institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of digitisation surveys were performed. Analysis concentrated on several themes: general methodological solutions, digitisation objectives, users and usage of digitised content, budgeting and costs of digitisation, and volume and growth of digitised collections.
Findings
Analysis revealed an absence of sound methodology solutions, issues of constructing a sample, the split between strategic and resource management approaches to digitisation, low visibility of user related evaluation criteria, and problems in developing quantitative measures.
Research limitations/implications
Approaches to evaluating digitisation are not restricted to digitisation surveys and to provide a more comprehensive analysis these should be complemented by other data (e.g. interviews of digitisation experts). The identification of surveys was limited by subjective factors such as knowledge of national experts, visibility of reports on the web, and language of publication.
Practical implications
The paper assists in the development of digitisation surveys by highlighting previous gaps and achievements.
Originality/value
The paper is a first attempt to comprehend approaches to monitoring digitisation internationally. Gaps and issues identified in the research can guide studies on developing indicators and measures for specific digitisation activities.
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Kate Dohe and Robin Pike
Project management techniques for digital initiatives must shift with the transformation of content from analog to digital, from singular projects to mass-digitization and…
Abstract
Purpose
Project management techniques for digital initiatives must shift with the transformation of content from analog to digital, from singular projects to mass-digitization and large-scale digital preservation. How are project management methods employed across digital practices, from digitization, to online access, to preservation? How can project management methods evolve to create a collaborative workflow across collection and service areas of librarianship, centered on digital stewardship?
Methodology/approach
Solutions for these questions are illustrated in an explanation of the workflows implemented at the University of Maryland, College Park Libraries and reflected upon in a case study of a recent digital initiative.
Findings
Centered on the efforts of two departments in the Libraries’ Digital Systems and Stewardship division, this chapter outlines the origins, techniques, and integration of digital project management with a focus on Waterfall and Agile project management. Furthermore, the integration and transition of project management methodologies and tools between groups is emphasized, mirroring the transformation of analog media to digital formats and the requisite shifts in thinking such projects require.
Originality/value
These case studies are based on research across the profession and implementation at the University of Maryland, College Park Libraries. The local application of two established project management techniques, Waterfall and Agile, are summarized and compared. Though regularly employed in application development, applying Agile project management in libraries is a relatively new practice and has not been widely documented in library literature.
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Martha Kyrillidou, Colleen Cook and Sarah Lippincott
The purpose of this paper is to describe a model of digital library (DL) work that surfaced through the ARL Profiles 2010 and resonates current work underway by the large-scale DL…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a model of digital library (DL) work that surfaced through the ARL Profiles 2010 and resonates current work underway by the large-scale DL projects like DPLA, SHARE, Hathitrust, Academic Preservation Trust, and Digital Preservation Network.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 86 ARL members submitted institutional profiles that were analyzed using Atlas.ti and surfaced major themes that comprise the mission of research libraries including serving the public good, expanding their presence globally, setting standards for access and quality, needing to explore best practices, and being visible at the national and international levels.
Findings
The analysis of the narratives identified three key areas for DL developments: first, digitized special collections, second, acquiring digital content, and third, developing digital services (Figure 1). Specific examples and context are provided in the paper.
Research limitations/implications
The qualitative data collected from these profiles demonstrate that libraries are transforming their services to leverage digital technologies and meet the changing needs of their users. The approach was open ended and allowed libraries to celebrate their strengths and unique context. Some of the disadvantages of this approach include the amount of work both on behalf of the participating libraries as well as on behalf of the analysts and the difficulty of comparing libraries with one another.
Originality/value
This was the first time ARL attempted to describe research libraries using narrative descriptions. The approach complements the traditional ARL Statistics and offers a viable alternative in a future environment that is dominated by radical change. This qualitative approach deployed here is critical for describing DL developments as current large-scale digitization projects have extended the directions that were surfacing in these profiles and have major implications for the future of digital content and research. Future research in this area is strongly encouraged.
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Loriene Roy and Elizabeth Kennedy Hallmark
The purpose of this paper is to involve readers in an exercise in conceptualizing the library workplace of the future and how to prepare librarians to be successful in these…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to involve readers in an exercise in conceptualizing the library workplace of the future and how to prepare librarians to be successful in these future scenarios.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper introduces a visualization exercise that invites readers to contemplate the likelihood and desirability of five scenarios for libraries of the future. Readers are also invited to create a new scenario. Readers then can reflect on the skills and aptitudes librarians would need to have or acquire in order to succeed in one of the scenarios. The method involves visualization, reflection, and self-assessment.
Findings
The authors have tested this exercise in in-service training with public, academic, and special librarians as well as with students in graduate library and information science courses. The end result is deep conversation, engagement, and sharing.
Research limitations/implications
The authors have observations on the effectiveness of this future exercise with students and practicing librarians but did not structure its use as a research project. In years of attending conferences and delivering over 600 conference presentations, the authors have yet to observe a similar future exercise being employed.
Practical implications
This exercise promotes reflection and discussion. It enables librarians to consider these scenarios on their own or in groups of varying sizes. It has application in understanding the complexity of futurism and how it might impact their future lives. And it emphases that individual librarians have some degree of independence in how they respond to change and, ultimately, a future much different from the present.
Social implications
Libraries are social institutions and their services reflect and respond to changes in society. Recent changes in governance around the world, warfare, the refugee crisis, and episodes of violence have contributed to tension. These are the times when librarians are called on more than ever to respond. Considering possible and improbable futures and one’s response to those futures are helpful in preparing one’s professional response in these difficult times.
Originality/value
This paper introduces an original model for discussing many possible futures for libraries and for librarians to consider their roles in those futures.
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To point out the limitations of recent legislation designed to enhance digital library service provision to the disabled and, in general, to point out the impact of observing…
Abstract
Purpose
To point out the limitations of recent legislation designed to enhance digital library service provision to the disabled and, in general, to point out the impact of observing moral rights on the feasibility of larger‐scale digitisation services in libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
A simple, summary analysis of the legislation combined with brief observations of library practice.
Findings
That the law needs to be extended in important respects to help larger sections of the disabled community in Higher Education, and that quality control issues, as enforced by consideration of our legal obligations under moral rights legislation, will always restrict the level of digital service libraries can offer to readers who need either accessible or digitised texts.
Research limitations/implications
This practice‐based supposition will be tested more extensively by investigation of the relevant legal and operational issues through practitioner experience.
Practical implications
Suggests that the library profession should lobby to improve legislation for services to the reading impaired, and that, in terms of on demand digitisation, general, all‐purpose digital short loan collections can only offer a limited spin‐off service to disabled users. Digitisation for reading and visual impairment will continue to have specialist features that make it a specialist activity.
Originality/value
The paper describes how copyright and moral rights are quite separate, distinct issues affecting library digitisation activity, and that it is easy to overlook the arguably more pronounced limiting effect of moral rights (as opposed to pure copyright) legislation on digitisation services to disabled users.
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Tobias Blanke, Michael Bryant and Mark Hedges
This paper aims to present an evaluation of open source OCR for supporting research on material in small‐ to medium‐scale historical archives.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present an evaluation of open source OCR for supporting research on material in small‐ to medium‐scale historical archives.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach was to develop a workflow engine to support the easy customisation of the OCR process towards the historical materials using open source technologies. Commercial OCR often fails to deliver sufficient results here, as their processing is optimised towards large‐scale commercially relevant collections. The approach presented here allows users to combine the most effective parts of different OCR tools.
Findings
The authors demonstrate their application and its flexibility and present two case studies, which demonstrate how OCR can be embedded into wider digitally enabled historical research. The first case study produces high‐quality research‐oriented digitisation outputs, utilizing services that the authors developed to allow for the direct linkage of digitisation image and OCR output. The second case study demonstrates what becomes possible if OCR can be customised directly within a larger research infrastructure for history. In such a scenario, further semantics can be added easily to the workflow, enhancing the research browse experience significantly.
Originality/value
There has been little work on the use of open source OCR technologies for historical research. This paper demonstrates that the authors' workflow approach allows users to combine commercial engines' ability to read a wider range of character sets with the flexibility of open source tools in terms of customisable pre‐processing and layout analysis. All this can be done without the need to develop dedicated code.
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Hrvoje Stančić and Željko Trbušić
The authors investigate optical character recognition (OCR) technology and discuss its implementation in the context of digitisation of archival materials.
Abstract
Purpose
The authors investigate optical character recognition (OCR) technology and discuss its implementation in the context of digitisation of archival materials.
Design/methodology/approach
The typewritten transcripts of the Croatian Writers' Society from the mid-60s of the 20th century are used as the test data. The optimal digitisation setup is investigated in order to obtain the best OCR results. This was done by using the sample of 123 pages digitised at different resolution settings and binarisation levels.
Findings
A series of tests showed that different settings produce significantly different results. The best OCR accuracy achieved at the test sample of the typewritten documents was 95.02%. The results show that the resolution is significantly more important than binarisation pre-processing procedure for achieving better OCR results.
Originality/value
Based on the research results, the authors give recommendations for achieving optimal digitisation process setup with the aim of increasing the quality of OCR results. Finally, the authors put the research results in the context of digitisation of cultural heritage in general and discuss further investigation possibilities.
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