Digital Library Interdependence: Building external partnerships with cultural heritage organizations

4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. EDT THURSDAY, March 31

Presented by

• Darren Poley, Outreach Librarian, Villanova University

How one academic library has groomed external relations with others outside its university to allow the rich cultural resources they own and manage to be preserved digitally and made available to scholars world-wide by means of a substantial digital library. 2011 marks the fifth year of this University s digital library and the announcement of the fifth major digital library partnership agreement, undertaking now to digitize another university’s world-class special collection of early printed bibles.

The following questions are being provided to help prompt and facilitate discussion(s) especially for those virtual conference participants who are attenting as part of a larger group.

1. I’m interested in building a trusted digital repository. Should I start my own digital collection or should I form a partnership with other institution(s)?
2. I wish to form a digital partnership. What are the factors that will contribute to a successful partnership? What common goals and values do I and my partner share? Do I understand the legal and ownership issues that come with a digital partnership?
3. I wish to create my own digital collection. Am I fully aware of the costs associated with hosting my own digital collection? Should I go with a vendor solution or an open-source software solution? Do I understand the workflow involved in hosting and an managing my own digital solution?