The document discusses the challenges faced by the Kinsey Institute in digitizing its extensive collections while addressing privacy, confidentiality, and donor restrictions. Founded in 1947, the institute aims to advance sexual health and knowledge, but only about 5% of its total collection of 430,000 items has been digitized as of early 2013. Legal and ethical guidelines play a crucial role in managing access and usage rights for researchers and scholars.

1. Erotic Digital Archives: Issues Involved
in Bringing the Kinsey Library
Collections into the Digital Realm
Is it possible for the Kinsey Institute for Sex, Gender and Reproduction to provide
digital access to the Kinsey's varied collections while contending with issues of
privacy, confidentiality, and donor restrictions that are even more strict than those
faced by most archival collections?
About the Kinsey Institute
• Founded in 1947 at Indiana University by Dr. Alfred Kinsey, biologist
and sex researcher.
• A private non-profit institution affiliated with (but not managed by)
Indiana University.
• Mission is to advance sexual health and knowledge worldwide.
About the Collections
• Total collection (archives, art, film) is approximately 430,000 items.
• Does not circulate; non-IU researchers charged an access fee.
• Digitization is user, donor, funder, and project driven. As of early 2013,
an estimated 5% of materials have been digitized.
• KI uses PhotoCAT, an image management system developed by IU.
Privacy & Confidentiality
• Donor/source information on ALL materials is
considered confidential.
Legality
• Must have copyright permissions.
• Legality of sexual materials changes over time.
Brianna Marshall | MLS/MIS Candidate | Indiana University School of Library & Info. Science
Materials Use Policy
• Materials are available to “qualified
researchers and scholars”—including students,
staff, or faculty.
• Photocopy & Scanning Policy states that KI
reserves the right not to photocopy:
• Unique and/or rare materials
• Unpublished works without author
permission
• Confidential works
• “Any materials, the duplication of
which… would not be in the best
interest of the Institute.”
• Requirement is that scans/digital copies must
be deleted or otherwise destroyed after use.
IMPERATIVES
• $$$
• Secure platform that supports
authentication for multiple
user roles.
• Modified user policies.
• Modified donor negotiations.
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Partnerships
• Alexander Street Press
• LBGT Thought & Culture
Donor Restrictions
• Material restrictions are negotiated between
the donor and Kinsey staff.
• Most common request is a time restriction.