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Digital Imaging Tutorial - Selection
2. Selection
Key Concepts
introduction
legal restrictions
other criteria
selection policies
additional reading
O
THER
S
ELECTION
C
RITERIA
The following issues should also be considered in choosing materials for
digital conversion. Under each category, pose and answer a range of
questions such as the ones suggested in order to highlight their effect on
selection.
Document Attributes
Does the material lend itself to digitization? Can the informational content be
adequately captured in digital form? Do the physical formats and condition of
the material represent major impediments? Are intermediates, such as
microfilm or slides, available and in good condition? How large and complex
in terms of document variety is the collection? (See
Conversion)
Preservation Considerations
Would the material be put at risk in the digitization process? Would digital
surrogates reduce use of the originals, thereby offering them protection from
handling? Is the digital reproduction seen as a means to replace the
originals?
Organization and Available Documentation
Is the material in a coherent, logically structured order? Is it paginated or is
the arrangement suggested by some other means? Is it complete? Is there
adequate descriptive, navigational, or structural information about the
material, such as bibliographic records or a detailed finding aid? (see also
Metadata)
Intended Uses
What kinds, level, and frequency of use are envisioned? Is there a clear
understanding of user requirements? Can digitization support these uses?
Will access to the material be significantly enhanced by digitization? Can your
institution support a range of uses, e.g., printing, browsing, detailed review?
Are there issues around security or access that must be taken into account
(e.g., access restricted to certain people or use under certain conditions?)
Digital Collection Building
Is there added incentive to digitize material based on the availability of
complementary digital resources (including data and metadata?) Is there an
opportunity for multi-institutional cooperation? For building thematic
coherence or "critical mass?"
Duplication of Effort
Has the material already been digitized by another trusted source? If so, do
the digital files possess sufficient quality, documentation, and functionality to
serve your purposes? What conditions govern access and use of those files?
Institutional Capabilities
Does your institution have the requisite technical infrastructure to manage,
deliver, and maintain digitized materials? Do your principal users have
adequate computing and connectivity to make effective use of these
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