Digitization Inventory Project Report
Digitization in Saskatchewan and Critical Issues in its Continuing Development Report of the Digitization Inventory Project
Commissioned by the Multitype Library Board, Saskatchewan Provincial Library, Saskatchewan Learning.
Completed by Tanya Rogoschewsky, MLIS Intern
August 2005
BACKGROUND
In 2005, the Digitization inventory project was commissioned by the Multitype Library Board to expand on information gathered previously on digitization in Saskatchewan. The project aimed to provide an overview of the digitization environment in Saskatchewan by identifying current and potential digitization projects and major trends, themes and obstacles in digitization. The inventory was identified at the 2004 Digitization Forums as a necessary first step in creating province-wide collaborative digitization activity among diverse institutions with the eventual goal of increasing public access and use of digital collections in Saskatchewan.
The inventory gathered information on existing and potential digitization projects, perceived benefits and obstacles of digitization, the institutions’ capacity to digitize collections, standards used in digitization projects (and how that will influence future interoperability) and on potential partnerships. The four month project allowed for greater depth of information gathering from a wider cross-section of Saskatchewan organizations/institutions then was previously possible.
Through the creation of an inventory of digitization projects, the Multitype Library Board has gathered information on the current digitization infrastructure in Saskatchewan necessary to begin the establishment of a digitization ‘alliance’ or ‘consortium.’ The information gathered shows the critical issues which are impeding current digitization activity or which may become significant barriers in the future. This information provides an outline of where a potential digitization alliance should concentrate its efforts and will enable informed decisions when developing a digitization strategy. Through the survey process, the concept of a digitization alliance was promoted to potential stakeholders and the level of interest in the concept assessed.
Read the full report. Fostering Digitization Initiatives in Saskatachewan: A Discussion Paper
Click here to access the Inventory of Digitization Projects.