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Abstract:In 2011, staff at the University Libraries of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro embarked on a collaborative, cross-departmental project to digitize a large collection of scrapbooks-a notoriously difficult material type. This article documents challenges, workflows, and lessons learned in the areas of processing, preservation, digitization, and metadata creation for scrapbooks.
ABSTRACTIn 2011, staff at the University Libraries of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro embarked on a collaborative, cross-departmental project to digitize a large collection of scrapbooks-a notoriously difficult material type. This article documents challenges, workflows, and lessons learned in the areas of processing, preservation, digitization, and metadata creation for scrapbooks.
Purpose This paper aims to explore library-community collaboration from both a theoretical and practical perspective, highlighting successful collaborative strategies and projects and illustrating important considerations for libraries that are considering community partnerships. Design/methodology/approach This paper consists of a literature review and several "capsule" case studies of projects completed at one academic library to illustrate principles that can result in successful collaborative projects. Findings Library-community collaboration presents significant benefits if the needs and priorities of all collaborating partners are taken into account. Successful projects will use the strengths of one partner to balance the weaknesses of another, will be based on shared goals, will offer credit to all partners and will result in stronger relationships for all involved. Originality/value Although library-community partnerships are not uncommon, many of these partnerships are housed in public libraries or involve only large, institutional players. This paper explores several non-traditional academic library initiatives involving youth service learning and outreach to smaller community groups that might otherwise be ignored by large university libraries.
In the fall of 2011, The University Libraries of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro embarked on the digitization of a collection of approximately 250 historical scrapbooks that documented university history and spanned most of the twentieth century. This collaborative project brought together personnel from Digital Projects, Special Collections and University Archives, and Cataloging. Personnel faced a variety of challenges involving both technical and physical aspects of the project. Among these challenges were the deteriorating physical condition of the scrapbooks and the need to construct project workflows that would maximize efficiency and effectiveness in regards to both staff time and end product creation. In meeting and overcoming these challenges, project personnel came away with lessons learned in the areas of collaboration, communication, and appropriate workflows for a project of this type and scale. These lessons can be taken forward for application in other collaborative digital initiatives.
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