1. Saving our serials Project CERES Tier II Univ of Florida/Univ of the Virgin Islands
Judith V. Rogers
Director of Libraries
Information & Technology Services, UVI
26 April 2016 – USAIN Conference

2. What, Why, Challenges, Results, Lessons Learned
Saving our serials
What, Why, Challenges, Results, Lessons Learned

3. What – the statement of work
Assist UF in developing a series-level bibliography, according to Tier 2 guidelines
Tier 2 sub-award of $8,625 – digitization/preservation project
Comprehensive bibliography
Digitization of land grant resources published/produced from
Metadata creation and enhancement – resources previously digitized
Acquired new equipment
Employed student worker

4. Why – threats and opportunities
Agricultural resources held in disparate collections
Libraries, Research and Public Services component (CES/AES, Water Resources, Eastern Caribbean Center, VI Ecological Research Station)
Threat from hurricanes, humidity, pests, lack of security
Sharing technical expertise of larger institution
Benefits/experiences for the users – researcher from DC, experience of emeritus faculty
Availability of dLOC as a platform for access and organization

5. Operational Challenges
Personnel issues
Staff turnover early in the project , and at the end – (managing transition)
Working across islands (collaboration from three locations)
Directing student worker
Catalog review vs. what’s on the shelf
Condition of resources outside University Libraries

6. Results - Outputs
100 new titles digitized; enhanced metadata for 70 titles
Water resources – VI water law, water quality of cistern water, conference on rain water cistern systems
Sample serials – COVICRIER, Agrifest, Gardeners Factsheet
New equipment for ongoing projects
Increased visibility of disparate resources
Contribution to comprehensive bibliography

7. Lessons Learned Opportunity to engage in assessing collection
Increased conversation and awareness of opportunities for digitization – among library staff at all levels
Increased networking between institutions
Opening conversations with UF for future storage options

8. Resources