Digitization for Preservation

Digital reformatting is replacing microfilm as the primary means of reproduction in libraries and archives; however, not all digital reformatting is equal. Only a small portion of the digitization that is done is preservation-worthy. The Association of Research Libraries' 2004 position paper, "Recognizing Digitization as a Preservation Reformatting Method," urges libraries to create preservation-quality digital images and cites the abundance of standards and best practices now available. These authors rightly note that, "Our preservation programs must be multi-faceted and responsive to be effective. The more preservation options libraries have at their disposal, the better collection managers can meet the current needs of collections as well as expectations of users now and in the future." This course concentrates on the standards, techniques, metadata, and long-term maintenance of digitally reborn images. The course also touches on why libraries and archives might want digitization for preservation, building digital collections, and policy setting around digitally reborn objects. Students learn: digital project management, how to determine optimal resolution for textual and photographic images, how to apply different types of metadata to digital objects to ensure long-term preservation and access, how to formulate grant proposals for digital preservation reformatting, and how to determine costs of digitization.