Gap analysis of the University of South Carolina's Digital Collections Department

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to conduct a gap analysis for Kate Boyd, Digital Collections Librarian of the University of South Carolina's Digital Collections Department, located at Thomas Cooper Library.Design/methodology/approachThe approaches the researcher utilized are a personal interview, literature review and personal experience. The article attempts to identify, define, and then provide recommendations concerning the gaps needing to be bridged at the University of South Carolina's Digital Collections Department.FindingsAfter only five years, the University of South Carolina's Digital Collections Department has made significant strides in implementing their program. In conducting a comparative analysis of the University of South Carolina's Digital Collections Department to those surveyed in 2000 by the Digital Library Federation, the findings indicate the department is not immune to the same challenges experienced by previous institutions in developing their digital library program.Originality/valueThe paper gives an insight into a gap analysis conducted on the digital collections department of an academic library.