WRLC Digital Collections Production Center (DCPC) Guidebook

Developing Digital Collections

Developing digital collections for the ALADIN digital library requires efforts of the owning library and WRLC's library services, DCPC, and information technology departments.

Staff at the owning library perform these activities:

Select collections for digitizing projects
Obtain copyright permission as necessary
Work with DCPC staff to define the project plan and schedule
Provide descriptive information about the project collection and items, in electronic format if readily available
Prepare physical items for transport to WRLC
Review the preview site for the digital collection once developed by WRLC
Create a collection level record in the WRLC online library catalog
Maintain and enhance metadata on an ongoing basis

WRLC's Library Services and DCPC staff perform these activities:

Work with the library to define the project plan and schedule
Design the digital collection header and search options based on characteristics of the collection
Test and select options for scanning or other input methods
Scan or otherwise input the selected items
Design metadata template in conjunction with library staff
Create or convert descriptive and administrative metadata for individual digital objects
Develop a preview site for review by library staff
Provide access and instructions for library staff to edit and enhance the metadata records as desired.

WRLC's Information Technology staff perform these activities:

Maintain information technology resources (hardware, software, network) and staff to develop and operate the digital library
Store digital object files and metadata on WRLC servers and provide access for library staff to retrieve the master files from the server
Provide digital collection files on CD if requested
Maintain digital collections for long-term use, including storing metadata and digital objects in formats which support migration to future technologies