LIBR 281-11
Digitization and Digital Preservation
Summer 2004

Robin Dale
E-mail: Robin.Dale@notes.rlg.org
When sending email, please
write “SJSU” in the subject line
Voicemail: 650-691-2238
Office hours: Virtually, by email

GREENSHEET

Course Overview:

This course will provide an introduction to the digitization of library, archival, and museum materials, as well as digital preservation of the resulting electronic resources. Students will learn about using digital technologies to provide better access to and sometimes to preserve text, images, sound, and video. [Please note: the majority of the course will focus on the digitization of text and image because of the nature of this class and equipment requirements.] Particular topics to be explored in depth include: selection for digitization, legal and copyright issues, digitization requirements for text and images, metadata, technology issues, The course will provide a broad foundation of the principles, processes and standards guiding the digitization of cultural heritage materials.

Course Objectives:

At the completion of this class, students will:

1. Understand the fundamental differences between digitization and digital preservation;
2. Acquire the skills to select materials for digitization and provide sound justification for their decisions;.
3. Be able to select and apply appropriate standards and good practices depending upon the type of material and the objective of a particular digitization project;
4. Understand the role and types of metadata used to describe, manage, and provide access to digital materials;
5. Obtain an understanding of the technology issues surrounding digitization, including appropriate conversion devices, delivery systems, and digital preservation;
6. Be able to prepare a grant proposal to fund a digitization project;
7. Have the skills to manage a digitization project from design through delivery;
8. Become familiar with information sources on digitization and digital preservation available through publications and organizations, including technical standards, project reports, and relevant community literature.
   

This course supports the following SLIS objectives:

The students will know and be able to identify the major theories and important principles as well as demonstrate current practice in:

• the digitization of library, archival, and museum materials;
• the preservation of digitized and "born-digital" cultural heritage materials.
  

Logistics, Assignments and Grading:

This class will be held almost entirely online. Blackboard will be the venue for online lectures, class discussion, quizzes, assignments, and online office hours. You must have regular access to a computer to access course materials and online lectures. At least one assignment will involve working with and submitting image files. For this reason, you should have access to a computer with a CD drive or a ZIP drive to complete the assignment(s). Make sure you enroll in the Blackboard site by June 1.

There is a mandatory one-day, in-person component to this class. You MUST attend either the full-day session in San Francisco (12 June) or in Fullerton (19 June).

Brief, open-book quizzes will take place biweekly through Blackboard and will be available for ONE WEEK. You must complete the quizzes within the specified week.

Assignments must be word processed in 12 pt. Times Roman and utilize a one-inch margin all around. Most assignments should be submitted via Blackboard or emailed (as attachments) to the instructor. If you plan to utilize a word processing program other than Microsoft Word, please check with the instructor to discuss the file format. The digitization project will involve submitting your work either on CD or ZIP disk.

Late assignments will not be accepted unless by prior consent of the instructor. If you have an illness (medical certificate supplied) or a family tragedy please contact the instructor.

Biweekly assignments	25 %
Quizzes	20 %
Digitization project	20 %
Case Study	35 %

Top of Page