In the article “It’s Not Just about Curators Anymore: Special Collections in the Digital Age” Barbara Taranto described the process of the digitization of the New York Public Library in an effort to explain the advantages and best process to incorporate a digital collection to a library. She described that the New York Public Library approached the digital collection, not as a separate component of the library but as a comprehensive effort. The NYPL focused greatly on the users of the library while constructing their system. By focusing on the digital library as a service it allowed them to have a more useful and satisfying interaction. Taranto explained that the NYPL was able to experiment more with their collections because of the focus on the use of the collections.
In her article she explained that the NYPL found that digital collections were not only important, but essential to a public library in this technology driven age. The digital collections allowed the library to actually extend out to the community and reach its patrons out of the boundaries of the four walls of the physical building. Focusing on digital collections was also essential because the NYPL already had a large collection of archival images, video/audio recordings and many microfilm frames that had been formatted to digital. They had also participated in the Google and MSN books projects. However, these digital components were independently managed and kept from the rest of the library’s collection. Therefore the NYPL changed their focus to incorporate more of the library’s collection and to involve all of the library staff in the digitalization process. Taranto called this the libraries broader practice.
In the last part of her article Taranto described in detail the way the NYPL built their collection. First the library distributed the activities of their digitalization to all members of their staff. They also included the selection of new digital content in the overall strategy of library purchases. Taranto also explained that the library used their digital collection to supplement subject areas that may be lacking. The NYPL also used every opportunity to build their collection, such as making digital copies when patrons request copies of material. The NYPL also encouraged staff at all levels offer ideas to additions to the digital collection. Taranto stated in her article that the most important part of the NYPL’s digital collection was its focus on the users of the collection.
References:
Taranto, B. (2009). It's Not Just about Curators Anymore: Special Collections in the Digital Age. RBM , 10 (no 1), 30-36. Retrieved from Wilson Web (link)
Link:
Archival Products (linked to in article)
I believe the NYPL’s choice to be inclusive in the digitization process is what will ultimately make this program a success. When digitization is done by a corporate entity (Google, MSN, or outside contractors), it immediately creates a divisive environment. If a book is missing from the shelf because it is on loan for scanning, or the stacks become disorganized during the scanning process, animosity can form toward those who are perceived to be interfering with the normal operation of the library. The climate of fear that exists in many libraries about the way that automation can lead to job reductions only compounds this problem. This accumulated hostility can shape long-term opinions about digital libraries, and inform they way in which librarians and staff advise patrons about these resources.
ReplyDeleteBy involving staff in the digitization process, the NYPL ensures that their employees have a stake in the program’s success. Staff will undoubtedly be more invested in recommending these resources to patrons out of a simple desire to see their labors bear fruit. The time and energy devoted to creating these libraries will also increase their familiarity with their holdings and access procedures, making for a more well-trained and efficient pool of employees.
As libraries shift and morph with advent of new technologies, those who have participated in these successful initiatives will be more likely to greet whatever changes come with enthusiasm and assistance. An investment in inclusivity thus becomes a guarantee for longer-term gains.
I agree with everything that you both have said about digitizing the NYPL’s collections. Many people today are very impatient when it comes to finding things online. It’s true that they might become impatient if things aren’t on the shelves where they belong, but I guess they have to give up a little something to get things digitized. It will be a matter of time and money before we can provide things to the public how they want them and it is very important to keep the patrons in mind when doing something like that. Especially because the patrons are the people that keep things going!
ReplyDeleteAs for involving the staff, it is very important because it shows them and the people that this cannot be completed overnight. Digitization is a long process that will take a very long time to accomplish, but in the end we will hopefully benefit from it. I know I bought a Kindle not too long ago, and right now I don’t use it much because most of the books I need are still physical books! It will be a while before I use my Kindle a lot more because my electronic collection is still very small. Over time library’s electronic collections will grow!
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ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting post and I am happy to know that digitization efforts are finding their way beyond both academic and corporate spheres, by the hands of library employees - the benefits of which Adam described well.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed using digital special collections for academic research in the past and enjoyed the ease of access to primary source material I may have never experienced otherwise. This was especially useful for historical research requiring primary source material (something you might only find on microfiche in the past).
In doing a bit of further research, I discovered the Hathi Trust: www.hathitrust.org
From what I can gather, it's a cooperative and searchable digital collection with a variety of well-known contributors (also potentially sharing cloud storage resources as a community). NYPL is a member, as well as U of M. So maybe Nicole or Adam could contribute further to this description.
"HathiTrust complements Google’s massive undertaking to digitize the world’s library collections. While both systems offer digitized books via the Internet, it is likely that HathiTrust will provide some content Google will not, such as digital collections unique to each institution, works from institutional repositories, and native born-digital materials.
HathiTrust also provides a new platform for the expert curation and consistent access long associated with research libraries. The trust and reliance developed over decades in providing essential print collections will extend to HathiTrust as a valued source for scholarly materials."
It also offers a page turner and customizable searching. Check out the FAQs for what I thought was the best info.
I also found this post from the blog of Paul Courant, University Librarian/Dean of Libraries at U of M, regarding the potential for a National Digital Library and mentioning the Hathi trust, to be both relevant and interesting:
http://paulcourant.net/2010/10/12/a-national-digital-library/