1 February 2019
Primary Research Group has published 'Profiles of Academic Library Efforts to Develop & Publicize Special & Digital Collections'. This report profiles the efforts of five higher education institutions of different types and dimensions – George Mason University, the University of South Florida, Pennsylvania State University, Pacific Lutheran University, and the University of Central Florida – to develop and especially to publicise and market their special and digital collections. The study’s author is Skye Rodgers.
Among the issues covered are:
- assessing the needs of primary end users such as student, faculty and researchers
- moving from an acquisitions-based to a services-based approach to collection development
- digital archive creation
- treatment of born-digital materials
- the incorporation of special collections into open access strategies and general coursework
- cataloging, findability, email promotion and social media strategies
The author also explores the growing use for special and digital collections of institutional digital repositories.
Other issues of note discussed include the use of 3D mapping, use of emerging technology platforms and tools such as SiteImprove, BitCurator, ArchivesGrid, Aeon, SketchFab and others, as well as strategies for developing key partnerships and collaborations both within and outside academic institutions.
PDF and print versions of the report are currently available from Primary Research Group.