Getting Started with Digital Collections: Scaling To Fit Your Organization

Monson (digital initiatives librarian, Univ. of Northern Colorado; Jump-Start Your Career as a Digital Librarian) was grounded in digitization training as a graduate student and was responsible for establishing an academic library's new digitization program in her first professional position. Here, she draws from her experience to provide a convenient and practical guide for administrators and staff faced with launching their own digitization programs. Designed for those new to the topic, the book addresses project management, the networking needs of those responsible for digitization without support staff, and collaboration efforts within and beyond the library. The second half focuses on basic skills for digitization work: conversion to high-quality digital images, equipment needs, metadata, how to select an online system for managing digital assets and make them available to end users, copyright issues, and digital preservation. A glossary and chapter references enhance the title's value. Marie Shaw's Library Technology and Digital Resources covers similar ground, but Monson's inclusion of management concerns results in a more comprehensive overview of digitization issues for libraries and museums.