Digitization is one of the most requested, most expensive, and most influential programs in an archives' public service model. Archivists often find themselves juggling donor and patron expectations, ever-shrinking budgets, and our own obligation to advocate for the highest availability of our materials.
Like many institutions, Northern Kentucky University faces increasing demands for digitization of archival materials and simultaneously shrinking budgets. In this session, NKU's former head of Special Collections and University Archives and current librarian for Archives draw on their experience forming a digitization initiative with cost-efficiency and a lens for the ease of patron experience. Regardless of the size and style of your archives, you will leave the session with practical solutions for creating a digitization program with the needs of both your users and units in mind.
Topics discussed will include evaluating and utilizing equipment (new and outdated,) storage and software suggestions, digitization workflows that work for you, and our efforts to automate a process that is simultaneously deeply critical and time-intensive.
Speakers Gideon McDaniel, Dayton Metro Library (Session Chair) Michael Providenti, Northern Kentucky University
