Minnesota Minnesota Digital Library Digital Library

CoalitionCoalition Survey Survey

What we learned . . .What we learned . . .

The Purpose of the Survey The Purpose of the Survey

IdentifyIdentify existing and potential digital collections,existing and potential digital collections, potential target audiences for such potential target audiences for such

collections, collections, subject strengths of regional subject strengths of regional

repositories, repositories, potential MDLC partners.  potential MDLC partners.  

Who We SurveyedWho We Surveyed

Paper Survey went to 123 “cultural Paper Survey went to 123 “cultural heritage” institutions in Minnesotaheritage” institutions in Minnesota

Online Survey link was e-mailed to Online Survey link was e-mailed to several listservs serving Minnesota’s several listservs serving Minnesota’s “cultural heritage” institutions “cultural heritage” institutions

Survey Return Survey Return

Paper SurveysPaper Surveys We received 59 paper surveys backWe received 59 paper surveys back Almost a 50% return rateAlmost a 50% return rate

Online SurveysOnline Surveys We received 30 online survey We received 30 online survey

submissionssubmissions No return rate availableNo return rate available

Respondents By Institution Respondents By Institution TypeType

57%

6%

17%

3%

17%

LibraryMuseumHistorical SocietyArchives Unknown

Subject Areas of InstitutionsSubject Areas of Institutions

AgricultureAgriculture Business/LaborBusiness/Labor EducationEducation Ethnic GroupsEthnic Groups MilitaryMilitary Politics/GovernmentPolitics/Government Recreation/LeisureRecreation/Leisure Transportation Transportation

Digitized Materials Digitized Materials by Topicby Topic

6%

17%

4%

7%

17%

15%

16%

18% AgricultureBusiness/ LaborEducationEthnic GroupsMilitaryPolitics/ GovernmentRecreation/ LeisureTransportation

*Not all surveys returned reflected a subject breakdown of their collections.

Potential Digitization Materials Potential Digitization Materials by Topic by Topic

10%

20%

10%

18%

21%

15%

1%5%

AgricultureBusiness/ LaborEducationEthnic GroupsMilitaryPolitics/ GovernmentRecreation/ LeisureTransportation

*Not all surveys returned reflected a subject breakdown of their collections.

Collection FormatCollection Format

Photographs (All Types)Photographs (All Types) Textual DocumentsTextual Documents MapsMaps ArtifactsArtifacts Other (Audio, mixed, etc.) Other (Audio, mixed, etc.)

Digitized Items by Format Digitized Items by Format

Photographs - 44%Photographs - 44%

Textual Materials - Textual Materials - 41% 41%

Artifacts - 14%Artifacts - 14%

Photos

Text

Maps

Artifacts

Other

Potential Items for Digitization Potential Items for Digitization by Formatby Format

Photos Photos

(All (All Types)Types)

Textual Textual DocumentDocuments s

MapsMaps ArtifactArtifactss

Other Other (Audio, (Audio, mixed, mixed, etc.)etc.)

685,675685,675 7,019,3347,019,334 3,023,0255

567,51567,5100

7,8607,860

Who Uses Materials at Who Uses Materials at Minnesota “Cultural Heritage” Minnesota “Cultural Heritage”

InstitutionsInstitutions General/Casual UserGeneral/Casual User Student/Lifelong LearnerStudent/Lifelong Learner Hobbyist Hobbyist Scholar/Researcher Scholar/Researcher Business CommunityBusiness Community Other Other

Largest AudiencesLargest Audiences

Respondents indicated the top 3 Respondents indicated the top 3 audiences they served.audiences they served.

Scholar/Researcher – 65%Scholar/Researcher – 65% Student/Lifelong Learner - 64%Student/Lifelong Learner - 64% General/Casual – 51%General/Casual – 51%

Audience Definitions*Audience Definitions* Scholar/ResearcherScholar/Researcher

The individual who desires more in-depth information on The individual who desires more in-depth information on a particular topic. This may be an undergraduate or a particular topic. This may be an undergraduate or graduate student, a docent, etc.graduate student, a docent, etc.

Student/Lifelong Learner Student/Lifelong Learner The individual who is seeking basic level of information The individual who is seeking basic level of information

to support their K-12 learning environment or the lifelong to support their K-12 learning environment or the lifelong learner who is learning something new to advance learner who is learning something new to advance his/her career or general enrichment. his/her career or general enrichment.

General/CasualGeneral/Casual This user is similar to the museum visitor who is going to This user is similar to the museum visitor who is going to

see a new exhibit or experience; or the library patron see a new exhibit or experience; or the library patron seeking general information, recreational reading or seeking general information, recreational reading or viewing materials. viewing materials.

* Definitions taken from the Colorado Digitization Program Collection Policy at: http://www.cdpheritage.org/about/policy_collection.html

Digital Standards Currently in Digital Standards Currently in Use in Minnesota Use in Minnesota

MetadataMetadata Dublin CoreDublin Core MARCMARC VRA CoreVRA Core Western States Western States Past PerfectPast Perfect Not using any Not using any

Digital CaptureDigital Capture Color ImagesColor Images

8, 24,36 bit depth8, 24,36 bit depth Gray ScaleGray Scale

2, 8, 12 bit depth 2, 8, 12 bit depth ResolutionResolution

75, 150, 200, 300, 600 75, 150, 200, 300, 600 dpidpi

Electronic File Format Electronic File Format jpeg, tiff, bmp, gif, pdfjpeg, tiff, bmp, gif, pdf

What the Survey Results What the Survey Results Tell UsTell Us

Digitization is occurring in Minnesota at a Digitization is occurring in Minnesota at a variety of institution types.variety of institution types.

Many more institutions are considering Many more institutions are considering digitization.digitization.

We have a wealth of potential items for We have a wealth of potential items for digitization in Minnesota.digitization in Minnesota.

No subject areas are predominant in the state.No subject areas are predominant in the state.

What the Survey Results What the Survey Results Tell UsTell Us

Digital capture and metadata best Digital capture and metadata best practices, when followed at all, are quite practices, when followed at all, are quite varied. varied.

An enduring, discoverable cross-An enduring, discoverable cross-institutional Minnesota Digital Library will institutional Minnesota Digital Library will require a commitment to standards.require a commitment to standards.

Criteria for Signature ProjectCriteria for Signature Project

A Minnesota ConnectionA Minnesota Connection Material is out of copyrightMaterial is out of copyright Simple images (not databases)Simple images (not databases) Something someone might wantSomething someone might want Extensible – technically and Extensible – technically and

organizationallyorganizationally Focused content Focused content

Preliminary Framework for Preliminary Framework for Signature ProjectSignature Project

Content Theme for Signature Project:Content Theme for Signature Project:

Minnesota’s history over the years. Minnesota’s history over the years. Start with 1858-1908.Start with 1858-1908.

Resources: Simple page objects, i.e. Resources: Simple page objects, i.e. photographs, lithographs, postcards, photographs, lithographs, postcards, posters, sketches, prints, etc. expand posters, sketches, prints, etc. expand to other objects as experience grows.to other objects as experience grows.

Discussion Topics:Discussion Topics: Feedback on Signature Project: How will it build Feedback on Signature Project: How will it build

participation and serve as a foundation for participation and serve as a foundation for Minnesota digitized collections?Minnesota digitized collections?

Target Audiences: Who might use the resources Target Audiences: Who might use the resources of the MDLC signature project?of the MDLC signature project? What outreach efforts are needed to connect What outreach efforts are needed to connect

with the target audiences?with the target audiences?

Role of MDLC: How should the MDLC support Role of MDLC: How should the MDLC support digitization efforts?digitization efforts?