Questions from MMM meeting 2/3-2/4/03

Please select a question:

• Can the grants be used for digitizing atlases or newspapers?


• Can a library cooperative apply for a grant?


• Can institutions contribute existing digital collections to the central database?


• Will the project make use of standardized subjects?


• How will the work be coordinated so that we avoid duplication?


• What is the role of University of Michigan in this project?


• Will regional centers be liable if libraries using their facilities have not obtained proper permission to digitize materials they are digitizing?


• How much is digitization center a co-infringer if library uses their equipment to digitize and doesn’t have permission?


• What will interns do?


• Who can regional centers call to consult with or get information on purchasing equipment?


• Will there be naming conventions for files?


• How will we deal with overlap among collections being digitized?


• When would a project not be approved?


• Are there priorities for what types of insitutions can use the centers?


• Will copyright/rights information be displayed for images on MMM?


• Do historical societies have to be affiliated with a library to use the regional centers?

Can the grants be used for digitizing atlases or newspapers?

Yes, however, please contact Michael Seadle at seadle@msu.edu

 

Can a library cooperative apply for a grant?

Yes.

 

Can institutions contribute existing digital collections to the central database?

Yes, provided the materials fit within the theme of the project.

 

Will the project make use of standardized subjects?

Yes, LCSH.

How will the work be coordinated so that we avoid duplication?

A clearinghouse will be established. Until then, if you have any questions, please contact one of the project staff. A list
can be found at: http://mmm.lib.msu.edu/html/staff.html

What is the role of University of Michigan in this project?

University of Michigan Digital Library Production Services will likely only be used for large size color materials.

Will regional centers be liable if libraries using their facilities have not obtained proper permission to digitize materials they are digitizing?

Regional centers should emphasize prevention over correction after the fact; should instruct parties to follow instructions and not put up anything that they don’t have permission for. In cases where participating libraries choose a risk management approach, contact Ruth Ann Jones or Michael Seadle at MSU.

How much is digitization center a co-infringer if library uses their equipment to digitize and doesn’t have permission?

Refer to section 108 (supervised vs. unsupervised use of equipment). If the regional center staff are aware of every piece being digitized, could be considered a co-infringer. Make people aware of copyright; make all efforts to comply. Good faith efforts to try not to infringe will be looked at as a good thing by the courts. Do best to educate them about copyright and ask them to confirm permission has been granted.

What will interns do?

Interns are available for installing equipment but should probably not be used for making purchasing decisions. Interns can also help with training.

Who can regional centers call to consult with or get information on purchasing equipment?

Information on scanners, makes, models and prices is available on the MMM website. This list includes information on equipment suitable for going out in the field as opposed to having people come in to the centers – ie laptops, portable scanners. Can also call or email Rick Peiffer – (517) 353-3151; peiffer@msu.edu

 

Will there be naming conventions for files?

Yes, see the document "How to Assign Filenames for Digitized Materials"

Will we be using digital object identifiers (DOIs)?

DOIs are ISBN equivalents for digital objects, which are designed to uniquely identify digital content. We are planning to assign DOIs as a later goal of the project. In the meantime, the filenaming rules and the Dublin Core metadata template for the project are being designed to support the later implementation of DOIs for digitized materials.

How will we deal with overlap among collections being digitized?

A clearinghouse will be made available on this website by May 1, 2003 so that participants can post information about what they are digitizing for MMM, to make sure no one else is working on the same things. Part of the clearinghouse function will be a checklist for people coming to the regional centers to prepare ahead of time before they come in with scanning projects.

When would a project not be approved?

As long as a project fits within the broad content guidelines of MMM (digital materials relating to Michigan history) it's unlikely to be turned down altogether unless the same materials have been digitized elsewhere. However, the regional centers will advise participants if they feel a project cannot be completed as originally proposed - for example, if the amount the library intends to digitize is larger than they can realistically complete.

Are there priorities for what types of insitutions can use the centers?

Regional centers can decide based on their capacity and/or capablities.

Will copyright/rights information be displayed for images on MMM?

Copyright information will be embedded in the metadata and a disclaimer will go on the website stating that images are only to be used for educational purposes.

Do historical societies have to be affiliated with a library to use the regional centers?

Technically, yes. but the regional centers can use their own discretion, and can themselves serve as the affiliation.