2011 Annual Meeting Presentations

Peter Chan, Digital Archivist (AIMS Project), Stanford University Libraries
"Using Forensic Software to assign Metadata to Born Digital Archives" (slides as PDF)
Abstract: The heterogeneous file formats and content types in most born digital archives post a serious challenge to archivists in assigning metadata to individual digital objects. Stanford University Libraries has been exploring the use of forensic software since April 2010 to generate technical metadata and to assign descriptive and administrative metadata to several born digital collections. The technical metadata includes checksum, file format, file size, file creation date, last modification date, and last accession date; descriptive metadata includes archival context (series, subseries, etc.), subject headings, and source media, and administrative metadata includes primarily access restrictions.

Jody DeRidder, Digital Services, University of Alabama Libraries, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
"Just Enough Light to See:  Minimal Metadata for Access" (slides as PDF)
Abstract: Large manuscript collections can now easily be delivered online without hand-created item-level descriptions. In an NHPRC-funded grant project, the University of Alabama Libraries developed a model for low-cost mass digitization which provides access to each separate document via the EAD finding aid. This presentation will focus on the automated generation of the MODS metadata used to provide this access. Open source software is available to support implementation of this model regardless of the EAD delivery method.

Jenel Farrell, Digital Archivist, Minnesota Public Radio | American Public Media
“Linked Open Data - Libraries Archives Museums” (slides as PDF)
Abstract: An introduction to linked open data: what technologies/meta elements are required, what are the barriers, what are the benefits.

Erik Moore, Assistant University Archivist and Lead Archivist for Health Sciences, University of Minnesota
“Rapid Capture in University Archives: A Model for Mass Digitization of Institutional Content” (slides as PDF)
Abstract: The University of Minnesota Archives contributed two case studies to the recently released OCLC Research report "Rapid Capture: Mass Digitization of Special Collections." This session describes the initiative begun in 2008 as part of the Academic Health Center History Project to create a low-cost high-volume process for scanning and providing access to historically valuable, previously hidden, University serial content and publications. To date, over 500,000 pages are digitized and made available through the Digital Conservancy, the university's institutional repository. The project has evolved into a core component of the University Archives program where it represents a renewed commitment to preservation and access of institutional information.  This presentation will be a discussion of the work flow, resources, staffing, and technical considerations of this program.

Dan Santamaria, Assistant University Archivist for Technical Services at the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library at Princeton University
“Medium-Scale Digitization” (slides as PDF)
Abstract: Dan Santamaria will discuss efficient, low-cost digitization strategies currently being tested at Princeton’s Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library. These strategies are designed to work with undergraduate student workers, commonly available equipment, and preexisting descriptive metadata and may be of interest to repositories with limited resources dedicated to digitization of archival or special collections material.