Digitizing the DukEngineer Lessons learned with a “non-special collection” collection and a new librarian Melanie A. Sturgeon July 23, 2014 – TRLN Lightning Talk
The DukEngineer Student run publication of the Pratt School of Engineering – Documents Engineering club updates Engineering school updates Advancements in engineering Life as a Duke Student Life as an Engineering student Faculty & Alumni News First issue May 1940 Still published annually
Why this project was different… Non-Library collection
Why this project was different… Non-Library collection – Majority came from the Pratt School of Engineering
Why this project was different… Non-Library collection – Majority came from the Pratt School of Engineering In a closet
Why this project was different… Non-Library collection – Majority came from the Pratt School of Engineering In a closet Under the stairs
Why this project was different… Non-Library collection – Majority came from the Pratt School of Engineering In a closet Under the stairs In the basement
Why this project was different… Non-Library collection – Majority came from the Pratt School of Engineering In a closet Under the stairs In the basement – Missing issues gathered from bound DUL copies and University Archive copies
Why this project was different… New subject librarian & Reorganization of department and staff for digital collections
Why this project was different… The Standard Approval Process
Why this project was different… Engineering Dept has idea for 75th Anniversary Chat with DPC over coffee New librarian thinks that’s a great idea Project Begins What I did
Making it happen Subject Librarian Organized issues Located Missing Created spreadsheet to determine publication history and organize metadata Picked out magazine highlights for digital collection websitemagazine highlights Wrote “About the Collection” for digital collection websiteAbout the Collection Posted blog postblog post Worked with Pratt and DUL to promote & market digital collection promote & market Digital Collections Team 198 hours of work 205 Issues Totaling 9,065 pages
Digital Collection went live for Pratt’s 75 th Anniversary Project Success! Featured on: Library website DPC blog Pratt’s website 2014 DukEngineer Duke Today Engineering Faculty Newsletter Pratt’s 75 th timeline Pratt’s 75 th timeline
Challenges & Lessons Learned Need to include non-library collections into standard review process Better documentation and instructions for project champions Improved communication with all departments involved Advocate for funding in lieu of student worker
Main Takeaways Subject Librarians can “champion” digital collections We should look to our departments for new & different ideas for collections… you never know what you may find