Computer Basics: Digitization

To Digitize or Not To Digitize - That is the Question

Financing Technology and Digital Projects in the Library

Libraries, more now than ever before, are continuously trying to progress in the technological world. Digitization projects have been one of the main ways libraries can use the internet to their advantage. These digital projects often are easier said than done - which is why many people question if the digitization of books and information is really the answer information professionals are looking for. 

As it was mentioned in the "Lied Library" article, simply getting libraries up-to-date with the correct and relevant technologies can be extremely laborious and financially impossible for smaller local libraries. Often, with these technology projects, there is not only the up front cost of owning multiple CPU's in the library, but the cost to maintain the machine and its software is usually something that takes an annual budget to cover. Once libraries have the machines, they need to upkeep them by getting the proper internet plans to run all these computers on the same network and do regular maintenance on them. 

Aside from the cost just to own technology in the library, digitization projects often need their own budget within the library. The cost to own scanners, digital software, and staff to run these projects is something many libraries have trouble affording. 

Outsourcing Digitization Projects

An option that many libraries find appealing is outsourcing digitization projects to third party companies who already own the resources and staff needed to complete a large scale digital project. A notorious example of this concept of out-sourcing is the Google Books project. Google offered their services to well-known large libraries in an attempt to digitize every book ever published. Of course, libraries allowed Google to digitize parts of their collections because they didn't have to manage or fund any part of the project. At face value the Google Books project seemed like a godsend - it was the perfect way to launch libraries and their invaluable collections into the web. Eventually, problems with this project began to surface. Not only did Google start digitizing books without the consent of libraries or publishers, but the quality of some of the scans of the rarer books were poor and illegible. The Google Books project should make every library take a second look before outsourcing their digitization projects.