VRA Conference 2020 Baltimore

As part of a larger hidden collections initiative, in 2018, Columbia University Libraries embarked on a seven year project to digitize their unique audiovisual holdings. In order to meet an ambitious target within a limited timeframe, staff across divisions and departments had to collaboratively develop shared workflows and efficiencies to maximize output while ensuring a high level of quality.  Due to the unique challenges of working with analog film/video collections, this collaborative effort was truly unprecedented in the history of Columbia Libraries. This project represented an excellent opportunity to test new functionalities of our locally developed digital asset management system Hyacinth and find robust methods to improve digital curation and preservation using tools like Archivematica digital preservation system. The scope of the project required that we develop efficiencies in our cataloging and metadata enhancement workflows including task automation in OpenRefine, sync both published and unpublished metadata between systems including our Voyager ILS and Hyacinth, and plan for an exponential increase in how digital media collections would be used by both patrons and staff. This presentation will examine the development, implementation, and lessons learned of these cross-departmental workflows as they pertain to the complex landscape of large-scale digital media preservation and access within research libraries.  

How might these strategies differ or be more/less challenging in a small institution than Columbia? How did Columbia handle issues with not having enough person power/resources?