Promoting archives by creating digital collections with Islandora TCART MN Archives Symposium October 24 th, 2014 Pam Sukalski, Daardi Sizemore, Linda Richter, Alex Kent

Outline Southwest Minnesota State University Archives Project MSU-Mankato Archives Project Islandora functionality and live demonstration Achievements/Conclusions Contact us

SMSU McFarland Library Our Islandora Experience

Southwest Minnesota State University Striegel Archives Relatively young college (est. 1967) University Archives room officially created in Library during 2005 renovation Emphasis has been retaining items in print Room is mostly organized – Excel file to track No designated librarian or staff No funding

Why Digital Archives? Raise awareness – University Archives (part of Strategic Plan) – Library ability to lead digitization projects Begin University dialogue – Establish digital archives on campus – Wanted a local example to demo what it could be

Beta Project Jumped in Summer 2013 Digitized Alumni Magazine (FOCUS) – Inaugural issue 1980 – Format Newspaper Magazine Used Book Solution pack – FOCUS covers all areas of the University Alumni Office/Foundation relationship

Current Project Digitizing Student Newspapers – Inaugural issue 1967 – Individual issues vs. Bound issues – Newspaper Solution Pack Funding – Grant through Foundation Collaborating on landing page for website

Project Experience Processing – Metadata PALS Office guidance was vital & appreciated – Scanning (Use Crystal G600 Wide Format Scanner) Trial and error – Editing (Use Adobe Pro) Minimal training Perfection vs. Something

Quick Overview of our Digitization Experience Began working with MDL in 2000 Started Digitizing photos in 2006 Digitizing student magazine and newspaper in 2010 Providing Access to Oral Histories in 2012 Access Via University Archives Digital Collections via CONTENTdm Minnesota Digital Library (some items) Old Main with fence, Mankato State Normal School, 1857

Making the Switch to Islandora Increased emphasis on digitization MSU Archivist back to full time New Librarian New staff member Focus on Institutional Repository Vendor demos CONTENTdm Level maxing out big financial investment A photograph of the construction on Memorial Library addition; Unidentified workers on building; Mankato State University, 1991.

Making a Change CONTENTdm Online help/documentation was often frustrating Hosted by MSU Great Library IT support but … Upgrade issues Storage issues Not always a high priority Didn’t know the front end of software Customization options limited Cost of upgrade and AMF were not small Project client on each computer Islandora by PALS Support from people we know and trust Hosted by PALS Secure digital storage Know the front and back end of software We are a priority They handle upgrades Lots of customization options Costs are clear and we think we are getting more for our money Web based ingest form

Migration: We’re on our Way Project Planning Get on same page Expectations Timelines Look and Feel Metadata Steps to Migration Looking Forward Three females in a canoe in Highland Arena Pool at Mankato State College, 1968

ARCH!

PALS – a program of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities since 1978 Experienced knowledgeable staff: servers, programming, training, support Open Source software fits our mission Islandora

PALS Islandora services Host server and application Assist with planning repository and metadata Create customized ingest forms Training and Support We’ll help you go from this... to this!

Islandora: An Open Source Digital Repository Solution Islandora preserves, manages, and showcases your institution’s collective memory, unique history, and intellectual pursuits.

Core Components Best practice open source software Powerful Popular, widely used Very stable Drupal

Solution Packs Islandora supports many formats with core “Solution Packs”

Customizable User Interface and Tools Can add any Drupal modules or themes based on your needs

MODS Record Dublin Core TECHMD Thumbnail JPG JPEG2000 Automatic Processes Generate Derivatives

Metadata Can use any metadata standard Custom data entry (ingest) forms Take advantage of controlled vocabulary, default text, custom instructions Technical metadata auto-generated

Demo Arch: Southwest Minnesota State University: TEST site:

Access and Connections - Chance to rebrand – ARCH - Access to newspapers - New connections with school newspaper - Reasons we chose to change are still very real - More opportunities for expanded access to collections. A picture of the Mankato State University Alumni Arch and Plaza and the Ostrander Student Memorial Bell Tower, 1990s.

Access & Connections Advantages to Project – Campus relationships – Growing Alumni network – Personal & professional impact & enjoyment

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