Minnesota Digital Library Coalition Survey What we learned...

The Purpose of the Survey Identify Identify existing and potential digital collections, existing and potential digital collections, potential target audiences for such collections, potential target audiences for such collections, subject strengths of regional repositories, subject strengths of regional repositories, potential MDLC partners. potential MDLC partners.

Who We Surveyed Paper Survey went to 123 “cultural heritage” institutions in Minnesota Paper Survey went to 123 “cultural heritage” institutions in Minnesota Online Survey link was ed to several listservs serving Minnesota’s “cultural heritage” institutions Online Survey link was ed to several listservs serving Minnesota’s “cultural heritage” institutions

Survey Return Paper Surveys Paper Surveys We received 59 paper surveys back We received 59 paper surveys back Almost a 50% return rate Almost a 50% return rate Online Surveys Online Surveys We received 30 online survey submissions We received 30 online survey submissions No return rate available No return rate available

Respondents By Institution Type

Subject Areas of Institutions Agriculture Agriculture Business/Labor Business/Labor Education Education Ethnic Groups Ethnic Groups Military Military Politics/Government Politics/Government Recreation/Leisure Recreation/Leisure Transportation Transportation

Digitized Materials by Topic *Not all surveys returned reflected a subject breakdown of their collections.

Potential Digitization Materials by Topic *Not all surveys returned reflected a subject breakdown of their collections.

Collection Format Photographs (All Types) Photographs (All Types) Textual Documents Textual Documents Maps Maps Artifacts Artifacts Other (Audio, mixed, etc.) Other (Audio, mixed, etc.)

Digitized Items by Format Photographs - 44% Photographs - 44% Textual Materials - 41% Textual Materials - 41% Artifacts - 14% Artifacts - 14%

Potential Items for Digitization by Format Photos (All Types) Textual Documents MapsArtifacts Other (Audio, mixed, etc.) 685,6757,019,3343,025567,5107,860

Who Uses Materials at Minnesota “Cultural Heritage” Institutions General/Casual User General/Casual User Student/Lifelong Learner Student/Lifelong Learner Hobbyist Hobbyist Scholar/Researcher Scholar/Researcher Business Community Business Community Other Other

Largest Audiences Respondents indicated the top 3 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* Scholar/Researcher Scholar/Researcher The individual who desires more in-depth information on a particular topic. This may be an undergraduate or graduate student, a docent, etc. The individual who desires more in-depth information on a particular topic. This may be an undergraduate or graduate student, a docent, etc. Student/Lifelong Learner Student/Lifelong Learner The individual who is seeking basic level of information to support their K-12 learning environment or the lifelong learner who is learning something new to advance his/her career or general enrichment. The individual who is seeking basic level of information to support their K-12 learning environment or the lifelong learner who is learning something new to advance his/her career or general enrichment. General/Casual General/Casual This user is similar to the museum visitor who is going to see a new exhibit or experience; or the library patron seeking general information, recreational reading or viewing materials. This user is similar to the museum visitor who is going to see a new exhibit or experience; or the library patron seeking general information, recreational reading or viewing materials. * Definitions taken from the Colorado Digitization Program Collection Policy at:

Digital Standards Currently in Use in Minnesota Metadata Metadata Dublin Core Dublin Core MARC MARC VRA Core VRA Core Western States Western States Past Perfect Past Perfect Not using any Not using any Digital Capture Digital Capture Color Images 8, 24,36 bit depth Gray Scale 2, 8, 12 bit depth Resolution 75, 150, 200, 300, 600 dpi Electronic File Format jpeg, tiff, bmp, gif, pdf

What the Survey Results Tell Us Digitization is occurring in Minnesota at a variety of institution types. Digitization is occurring in Minnesota at a variety of institution types. Many more institutions are considering digitization. Many more institutions are considering digitization. We have a wealth of potential items for digitization in Minnesota. We have a wealth of potential items for digitization in Minnesota. No subject areas are predominant in the state. No subject areas are predominant in the state.

What the Survey Results Tell Us Digital capture and metadata best practices, when followed at all, are quite varied. Digital capture and metadata best practices, when followed at all, are quite varied. An enduring, discoverable cross-institutional Minnesota Digital Library will require a commitment to standards.

Criteria for Signature Project A Minnesota Connection A Minnesota Connection Material is out of copyright Material is out of copyright Simple images (not databases) Simple images (not databases) Something someone might want Something someone might want Extensible – technically and organizationally Extensible – technically and organizationally Focused content Focused content

Preliminary Framework for Signature Project Content Theme for Signature Project: Content Theme for Signature Project: Minnesota’s history over the years. Start with Minnesota’s history over the years. Start with Resources: Simple page objects, i.e. photographs, lithographs, postcards, posters, sketches, prints, etc. expand to other objects as experience grows. Resources: Simple page objects, i.e. photographs, lithographs, postcards, posters, sketches, prints, etc. expand to other objects as experience grows.

Discussion Topics: Feedback on Signature Project: How will it build participation and serve as a foundation for Minnesota digitized collections? Feedback on Signature Project: How will it build participation and serve as a foundation for Minnesota digitized collections? Target Audiences: Who might use the resources of the MDLC signature project? Target Audiences: Who might use the resources of the MDLC signature project? What outreach efforts are needed to connect with the target audiences? What outreach efforts are needed to connect with the target audiences? Role of MDLC: How should the MDLC support digitization efforts? Role of MDLC: How should the MDLC support digitization efforts?