Digitization & Preservation

This unit oversees and coordinates digital imaging for preservation purposes for the University Libraries including image conversion of paper-based and photographic materials, file maintenance, and storage. Much of the unit’s work consists of creating paper reproductions of brittle books, out-of-print titles, and whole periodical issues. This unit also provides consultation to library selectors and staff on technical matters regarding digitization projects including preparation, scanning, web site design, and file and server maintenance. Staff also train library personnel in image capture following best practices for digital projects and serve as liaison to the personnel in Library Computing Services and I-Tech to determine and secure network needs for digital projects.

• Penn State University Libraries, Selector's Manual (staff only)
• Digital Initiatives Steering Committee (DISC ) (staff only)
• Projects, Updates and Checklist for Digitization Project
• Best practices and other digitization resources: Useful websites and other resources that we (Pres staff) know about and frequently monitor regarding digital project guidelines and standards. This is by no means a comprehensive list - it's only a fraction of what's out there!
• Equipment used in Digital Preservation and Imaging

Digital Preservation and Imaging works in conjunction with Collections Care to have missing or damaged pages restored. For further information, see the Replacement Page process detailed under the Collections Care unit.

The digital procedures to scan brittle books and out-of-print books were established in 1995.  Both services provide for the creation of a facsimile copy to replace brittle deteriorated volumes, or in the case of out-of-print titles, as a means to acquire titles that are difficult to locate for the library’s circulating collection.

Digital Preservation and Imaging is also working to preserve electronic data, as many materials are accompanied by supplementary electronic data or are available only in electronic form. At present, the unit is backing up 3½" diskettes included in books and other collections (here are instructions for making new diskettes). The service will be expanded in the future to establish policies for the backup, refreshing, and migration of all the University Libraries electronic collections.

Thanks to the purchase of a 42" Hewlett Packard Designjet 5000PS, the Preservation Department is able to offer printing of any color material up to 42" wide. Print jobs for the University Libraries are free of charge; personal orders or patron requests incur charges

• Fee structure (pdf ) as they pertain to Preservation.
  

Click here for instructions for librarians to download archived diskettes. This information is for staff only.