APLA 2019

Digitization can be an important and useful way to expose collections, improve access and generate interest. However, this process can be taxing for libraries and researchers with limited skills and resources. Our official job titles are often the tip of the iceberg of what we do, and we may find ourselves involved in projects for which we do not consider ourselves experts. Three librarians from Mount Saint Vincent University will discuss their use of Omeka for three very different collections: a Lesbian Pulp Fiction Collection, a Home Economics Archive, and a collection of woven mathematical artifacts. Despite the differences in the collections, many similar challenges and questions arose. Panellists will provide a brief description of their projects before discussing their experiences of choosing metadata schema and controlled vocabulary, the importance of beta testing, and wrestling with imposter syndrome. Brainstorming, planning and collegial support became essential tools for perseverance and success.
The purpose of this panel is to share our processes, experiences, and mistakes with the audience. We wish to initiate a conversation and share expertise among our colleagues. This session will be of interest to librarians, information managers and library technicians dealing with small collections or working with patrons who are working with a small or niche collection to make it more accessible. Our focus is on digitization by non-experts and what can be done with minimal financial resources.