Library Online Historical Digital Collections

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

In 2014, the Hennepin County Library started the process of developing its own program for creating and presenting digital content from its many historical collections. Digitization greatly increases awareness, access and use of these materials. Previously, this had been done through commercial vendors and other partnership organizations. The advantages of pursuing an in-house digitization program would give the Library increased capacity, broader opportunities for branding and promotion, wider subject scope and much greater control over all stages of the process. The Library’s Special Collections department had previously developed and tested procedures and workflows conforming to recognized standards for digitizing and descriptive metadata. The acquisition of equipment started in 2014 and the addition of staffing (both permanent and grant-funded) in 2015 refined these procedures and workflows, and greatly increased output of new digital content. In the meantime, the Library began the process for developing an online digital content platform using CONTENTdm software. The software was deployed in August 2015 and staff began adding content to the new platform. Over the next several months, Library Special Collections staff worked on building and testing the new platform, and partnered with Library IT and Information Programs & Services staff on the content storage, digital platform and landing page development. Library Communications and Special Collections partnered on developing a promotional strategy. Special Collections and IT staff were trained on digital preservation best practices and established a process for monitoring the integrity of digital files, including backing up and restoring digital files. By the time the new digital platform was launched for public in the fall of 2016, the Library’s digitization program was full in place with all goals achieved: •A digital content platform was established and functioning. •Digitization procedures were established to conform to best practices and nationalstandards. •Descriptive metadata standards and procedures were established. •Equipment was purchased and integrated into the workflow. •Procedures were established for creating and adding new collections and digital content. •Digital preservation best practices were understood and in place. •Analytics were in place for monitoring usage patterns of digital content. With more than 40,000 digital items now freely available to the public, the Library’s digital collections are actually just beginning. New collections and thousands of additional items will be added in 2017, providing the public with a deep dive into the Library’s rich historical collections.