Endangered Collections Digitization Project
About the Project
One of the barriers to systematic digitization efforts is the capitalization of equipment needed to produce and maintain quality images. When libraries do not have access to the proper equipment or resources, the result is either that no action is taken to preserve important endangered collections through digitization, or that inferior low-cost processes are employed. Commonly, the latter results in files that cannot be used over time or cannot be repurposed for scholarly or research purposes. The Endangered Collections Digitization Project seeks to provide high-resolution professional digitization equipment for libraries and collections that would otherwise not be able to engage in needed digitization work.
Through an agreement negotiated with the Internet Archive, Libraries Without Walls will identify collections needing preservation digitization attention, will seek Foundation and Individual financial sponsorship, and will provide the necessary hardware and software at cost, and manage application logistics. When the images are intended for open public access and widespread availability, the Internet Archive will provide storage of the image databases in their mirrored sites in San Francisco, Alexandria, Egypt, and the Hague, The Netherlands.
• If you would like to contribute financial support, please contact: ecdp@librarieswithoutwalls.org .