Access Dunia 2010 User Group Meeting 18 May 2010 Swiss Garden Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia DIGITIZING HERITAGE COLLECTIONS Linda Yip Access Dunia Snd Bhd Clive Wing iGroup

THE SINGAPORE MEMORY PROJECT Access Dunia 2010 User Group Meeting 18 May 2010 Swiss Garden Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Linda Yip Access Dunia Sdn Bhd **** Based on paper by Ms Ch’ng Kim See entitled THE SINGAPORE LIBRARIES’ PERSPECTIVE presented at the 466TH SALZBURG GLOBAL SEMINAR, October

Background  As early as 2000, ISEAS Library planned to digitize its rare book collection comprising a core list of 1,000 titles.  It experimented with a local vendor which successfully scanned three titles: 16 Raffles, Thomas Stamford. The history of Java & 1830 editions, Gervaise, Nicolas. Description historique du royaume de Macacar … 1688.

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 The Private Papers of -- Malayan Nationalist Tun Tan Cheng Lock -- Singapore First Chief Minister David Marshall -- Malayan Finance Minister Tun H.S. Lee have been digitized, but not yet conserved.  Other Private Papers, e.g. -- Malaysian Deputy PM Tun Dr Ismail Abd Rahman -- Singapore Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam are being planned for conservation and digitization. Special Collections

THE SINGAPORE MEMORY PROJECT Aim To preserve, conserve, digitize and make accessible national heritage and cultural collections Time Frame Sustained long-term national initiative Collaborative Effort Libraries, museum, archives, institutions, NGOs, schools and individuals 20

ISEAS Library, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies National Archives of Singapore National University of Singapore Libraries Singapore Press Holdings Information Resource Centre, and National Library Core Group Partners

Objectives  Build National Knowledge Assets Singapore stories Multimedia Beyond Singapore – Malaysia, India Beyond official content  Inform and educate about Singapore and its society  Dissemination and Availability Digital, through private, public and people sectors Accessible by users Multiplier effect

Scope  Format Multimedia  Content Historical, cultural, educational, political  Period Before 1819 (Founding) to present continuity as the future becomes the present and the past  Coverage Inclusive, beyond Singapore Southeast Asia region, global community: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); United Nations (UN); Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)

 Resource Expertise Social scientists Historians  Priorities Materials of high value, unique, fragile Content criteria  Pioneers  Landmark buildings  Creative expressions  Chroniclers Scope (contd) 24

Key Outcomes Context within government directions Ease of access to Singapore content Increased research and discovery of Singapore related studies Engagement of Singaporeans, residents and others in activities Increased knowledge and understanding of key historical, cultural, social, economic and political aspects Long-term and sustainable plan and process at national level in research and discovery 25

Components Source knowledge assets about Singapore Organizing, preservation and conservation of physical collections Digitization - Creation of digital reporting from resources of participating institution - Develop applications and services to secure storage and facilitate access Access and discovery - Create and develop Singapore Memory portal – web search engine - Auto-index and interactive features - Engage users and minimize manpower costs 26

Components (contd) Knowledge asset creation - Develop more content - Physical and/or web publication Project management, key deliverables - Establishment and coordination of partnerships and networks - Establish standards, tools, acquisition policies - Establish archival responsibilities of partner institutions - Develop competencies – long-term 27

Advocacy – Target Knowledge Audience, Communities and Stakeholders  Government, ministers and officials  Funders and philanthropists  National education programmes  Programmes and exhibitions  Potential depositions  Snowball/multiplier effects re stakeholders 28

National collaboration National facilitator – National Library Robust and comprehensive digital infrastructure Value circle of complementarity Incorporate existing core collections of Singapore Memory Network Core Group 29 Strategic Approach

Singapore Memory Steering Committee – chaired by Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts Singapore Memory Network Core Group Partners = Advisory Panel – - ISEAS Library, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies – National Archives of Singapore – National University of Singapore Libraries – Singapore Press Holdings Information Resource Centre – National Library, Singapore Strategic Approach (contd) 30

SMP Technical Standards Sub-Committee Establish a common set of guidelines, formats and procedures to: a.facilitate putting Singapore Memory content across different types of materials online for access b.ensure the Singapore Memory content is preserved over time and not subject to obsolescence c.facilitate exchange of content for Singapore Memory Representatives from Core Group Partners Strategic Approach (contd) 17

BUDGET S$24 million for the first phase: Subsequent annual grant requested: $10 million. 18

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