Digitizing Your Collection: Public Library Success Stories

by Susanne Caro, Sam Meister, Tammy Ravas

Digitizing your collection is not only a great way to increase access to your materials, it also engages patrons on a whole new level and helps communicate your library’s value. But with staff time and resources already spread thin, it can be a challenge to plan and undertake a digitization initiative. The good news is that public libraries across the country have done just that. Here, the authors share lessons and tips for success, showing the way to getting your collection online. With succinct and practical guidance that can be adapted to any size institution, this book

explains why public libraries should take digitization seriously, listing key points that can be used to get stakeholders on board;
points out what you should consider before undertaking a digitization project;
discusses copyright and other access-related issues;
shows how public libraries are handling funding and finding collaborative partners;
shares ways that libraries have used digitization projects for community outreach and to promote collections; and
offers advice on marketing and media.

Many libraries across the country have found ways to create wonderful digital collections, and this book shows you how you can too.

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2016

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a librarian, with a background in archives & museum studies. Unfortunately, I had to drop out of a class in grad school about digital preservation & digitization (among other classes) due to health problems at the time. When I came to work at a public library with genealogy & special collections departments, I showed an interest. Now there is talk of digitizing those collections & the chance that I might be able to help out with that. Since I did not have the full educational background to fully feel comfortable in my knowledge, I decided to pick up some professional books. (More soul bearing in this review than I normally do in my reviews. My apologies for that & please bear with me.)

This book was such a quick read!! And in this case, that is not a bad thing. Susanne Caro & her contributors have clearly & succinctly stated the information they wanted to get across. Everything was very easy to understand & the examples that were chosen were perfect for the information at hand. Also, the variety of examples - public libraries, university libraries, governmental entities; where to look for grants; who you could outsource to; how the various libraries are handling their digitization projects. Basically, this was a great introduction to digitization & has made me feel a bit more comfortable with the process.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent information for entities like libraries looking to put information into a digital format for their patrons and customers.

[Rosie Mujica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of things to think about when planning a digitization project.

[Bexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professional reading to do before I begin the task of digitizing our collection at the library. Lots of useful information that is helpful to the process. Worth to read for my job.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent rundown of the important aspects of digitizing a library collection.