Volunteer Voices: Tennessee’s Collaborative Digitization Program

Abstract

This article provides an overview of Volunteer Voices, Tennessee's statewide digitization program. The authors focus on the three-year Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Leadership Grant that provided the foundation for future growth of the digitization program. In addition to an overview of the content selection, metadata issues, software selection, digital preservation, and K-12 education emphasis of the grant project, the article includes a detailed description of the work done by the digitization and content specialists from across the state who selected and scanned items. The article concludes with a look at post-grant efforts to promote the sustainability of Volunteer Voices.

A nine dimensional framework for digital cultural heritage organizational sustainability

“…However, three articles were more cautious about collaboration. Conner et al (2009), for example, discussed how multi-institutional partnerships can be problematic for collection sustainability, and emphasized how partnership conversations must include long-term sustainability planning. Oliver et al (2010) discuss finding a balance between competition and collaboration among partners, and the role of identifying variable information needs to determine whether collaboration or competition is more appropriate.…”

What are we talking about when we talk about sustainability of digital archives, repositories and libraries?

“…Some authors were gave caution about collaborations and sustainability. Conner et al (2009), for example, discussed how multi-institutional partnerships can be problematic when searching for a permanent home for a collection within a collaboration. Oliver, Crookston, and Dorner (2010) discuss finding a balance between competition and collaboration among partners.…”