Why Digitise?

Why do we digitise at all? The most general reasons are as follows:

Access

Digitisation has meant that items stored in museums, archives and libraries across the world can be viewed by millions of people, at the same time. This presents a significant shift in the way we access collections.

Preservation

Digitisation has also enabled organisations to effectively take snapshots of fragile or deteriorating items in their collections. These digitised images can then be used as surrogates for access, support condition reporting and, if necessary as carriers of the original item’s data should the original deteriorate beyond repair.

Research

Alongside access and preservation, research is the other reason for digitisation. Researchers require a specific kind of access to information held in collections. Researchers are often seeking access to specific areas of a collection, often of items rarely viewed. They can also be seeking access to broad and extensive data held in record series. Whatever the reason, digitisation for research often has specific requirements.

Perspective and Collaboration

Here at Digitisation.IO we like to think about two key principles that aid our clients when thinking about digitisation: perspective and collaboration.

Perspective

Perspective is essentially the ability to see the detail of the problem and also the bigger picture. When you’re doing a digitization project it is quite easy to be absorbed by the detail of where this metadata field goes or what scanners you’re going to use. However, it is also necessary to be able to stand back and look at your project’s aims and objectives, and how your activities are going to move things forward.

Collaboration

Collaboration is also significant. Working with your customers, your stakeholders, and your colleagues will help you maintain perspective and keep your project on track. Collaboration with your peers will also help. There are digitisation practitioners in the cultural heritage sector who can offer you advice, help you explore problems and find solutions. There are communities within the sector whom you can approach to help you find your way to completing your project successfully.

We’re adding advice and guidance to our website on as many aspects of digitisation as we can. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, then get in touch and hopefully we can find a way to help you.