This document discusses creating a mission-driven digital library by focusing digitization efforts on archival materials that tell the story and support the mission of the institution. It provides examples of how the University of Dubuque and Loras College could create targeted digital collections around their mission statements, focusing on topics like race relations at the University of Dubuque and chaplains' correspondence from WWII at Loras College. Open-source platforms like Omeka and Archon are presented as options for hosting a digital collection. The goal is to help libraries overcome common barriers to digitization like cost and staff time by taking a more focused approach.

1. Building a Bionic Heart on a Budget:
Digitizing the Institution’s Stories
Heidi Pettitt
Technical Services Librarian
Loras College
Jonathan Helmke
Assistant Director for Technical Services and Library Systems
University of Dubuque
Image from:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/health/news/article3112453.ece

2. Deep in the archives- a sound is heard
Listen closely- it might be the story of your institution

3. What has delayed your
digitization project?
Cost
Lack of staff time
Enormity of the task
Technical skills
Equipment and software
Your organization doesn’t see the value of it

4. Physical
Digital
Object

5. What is a Mission-Driven
Digital Library
• Connecting the digital library to the
institution’s mission statement
– Tells a story about the
institution’s past
Now with
added
Mission!
• Another example of how the library can
position itself as the “Heart” of the institution

6. Why create a Mission-Driven
Digital Library
Help focus the
scope of the collection

7. Why create a Mission-Driven
Digital Library
scope
Help focus the
of the collection
More time planning, less time scanning
More time planning, less time scanning

8. Why create a Mission-Driven
Digital Library
scope
Help focus the
of the collection
More time planning, less time scanning
Only need to digitize the ‘good stuff’

9. Why create a Mission-Driven
Digital Library
scope
Help focus the
of the collection
More time planning, less time scanning
Only need to digitize the ‘good stuff’
Non-library buy-in

10. Why create a Mission-Driven
Digital Library
scope
Help focus the
of the collection
More time planning, less time scanning
Only need to digitize the ‘good stuff’
Non-library buy-in
Projects can be tailored to any technical skill level

11. University of Dubuque
Mission Statement
The University of Dubuque is a small, private university affiliated
with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offering
undergraduate, graduate, and theological seminary programs.
The University is comprised of individuals from the region, the
nation, and the world
As a community, the University practices its Christian faith by
educating students and pursuing excellence in scholarship.
Therefore, the University of Dubuque is committed to…
• Community where diversity is appreciated and Christian love
is practiced

12. University of Dubuque
Potential Project
Race Relations and the
University
Project focused on
documents, images, and
other objects

13. Mission Statement
Loras, as a Catholic liberal arts college, creates a
community of active learners, reflective
thinkers, ethical decision-makers, and
responsible contributors in diverse
roles
professional, social, and religious roles.

14. Loras College
Potential Project
Chaplains Correspondence &
Reports from WWII

15. Platform options
• Open Source
– Omeka: Notable Women of Simmons College
Digital Scrapbook Collection
• http://www.simmons.edu/library/archives/exhibits/372.php
– Archon: Maps, drawings and architectural
plans, 1872-1997
• https://archivedb.carleton.edu/?p=collections/controlcard&i
d=2748
• Your website: Edward H. Bennett: New Light on the
Plan of Chicago 1909
– http://www.lakeforest.edu/library/archives/exhibits/edwardben
nett.php

16. What has delayed your
digitization project?
Cost
Lack of staff time
Enormity of the task
Technical skills
Equipment and software
Your organization doesn’t see the value of it

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Questions?
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