The document discusses digitization as the process of converting analog information into digital format to improve access and searchability. It outlines various aspects of a digitization program including scope, selection, sustainability, and practical considerations such as who will handle the conversion and how digital assets will be managed. Additionally, it highlights the pros and cons of DIY digitization versus professional services.

1. “ C” is for Conversion Jill Hurst-Wahl Sept. 17, 2008

2. Background Scanning/ Conversion DIY & Punk Q&A iSchool, Students & the Profession

3. What Is Digitization? Digitization is the process of converting analog information into digital format. The goal of digitization is improve access to the materials. To that end, many digitized materials become searchable via databases on the Internet.

4. Photo by Helen Black

5. Photo by Stan Wiechers

6. Four Areas in a Digitization Program Scope Selection “ Scanning” Sustainability

7. Scanning / Conversion

8. Photo by Mike_1630

9. Scanning Imaging Digitizing Converting

10. Photos by cobalt123 , mushroom and rooster , & nate steiner .

11. What is being converted? How will the conversion occur? Who will do the conversion? Where will the conversion be done? How will the digital assets be described, stored and accessed?

12. Northern NY Library Network Hobart & William Smith Colleges

13. Kirtas Technologies 4DigitalBooks

14. Kirtas Technologies Internet Archive (below)

15. Guiding Principles Best Practices Guidelines Standards Conversion is not creative, but routine.

16. Who is doing the converting? Internal digitization labs Small & large businesses People who handle routine tasks well (to specifications) Not…

17. Separate Steps, Separate Locations Clean-up OCR Quality control Quality assurance

18. Conversion as a DIY Activity

19. Punk & DIY Forget “the system” Self-reliant Skills can be learned Those with a little skills can contribute An expert’s skills are not unique Freedom to create

20. Pros Builds expertise in-house Is a learning experience Materials stay safe Internal collaboration Costs are absorbed Cons Staff lacks knowledge No commitment to training Project is not a priority Cannot invest in proper equipment & maintenance No costs savings Projects take too long Solution: Weigh the costs & impact on quality

21. The iSchool, Students & the Profession

22. Connect Bring / ingest Bridge Introduce Recruit Work Research Photo by cindiann

23. Jill Hurst-Wahl [email_address] Meebo & Skype: jill.hurst.wahl