This focus on digitization projects looks at how you can get those local gems out of the attic and onto the web. Lori Bell, Joe Natale, Alyce Scott, and Tom Peters have put together articles containing a glossary of digitization terms, best practices for digitization projects, examples of projects by small libraries, and some new ways to make digital archives accessible to the visually impaired. They also profile some model programs of the Illinois State Library: the Illinois State Wide Archival Technology Team, and the Illinois Digital Archives.

When the Internet enabled graphics in 1995, one of the first uses libraries envisioned was digital imaging: scanning their older documents and pictures to both preserve and provide access to them.  Since that time, thousands of libraries of all sizes have scanned images, cataloged them, and made them available on the web.  Thanks to the Internet, people can now view Lincoln rarities and memorabilia they could never have otherwise seen without visiting the museum housing the item.

For an example of how one library has taken digitization another step beyond access, be sure to read the article on the Thomas Ford Memorial Library. Local history is no longer just a bunch of librarians or experts putting pictures on the web -- it has become a partnership of librarians with their community bringing local history to life.

Keys to success
Although digitization projects can seem daunting understanding the process and planning ahead can make it manageable.

Best Practices and Planning for Digitization Projects
Here's a guide to the key issues of selection, standards, and access with a selected set of resources.

Glossary of Scanning and Digital Imaging Terms
From bit to TIFF, Alyce Scott provides an introductory guide through the alphabet soup of digitization jargon and acronyms.

Making Digital Images Accessible to the Visually Impaired Through Audio Description
Here's a way to make your visual images accessible to everyone using Audio Description--and an example of how one project did it.

Getting help
In Illinois the state library has several ways to help with local digitization projects. Check with your state library-they may have similar programs.

Illinois' State Wide Archival Technology Team (SWAT)
The SWAT team is one way the Illinois State Library works closely with local public libraries to develop successful digital projects.

Every Pixel Tells a Story: The Illinois Digital Archives
The Illinois Digital Archives does much more than provide access to the Illinois State Library's digital collections. Through its digital imaging grant and training programs it helps other cultural institutions and libraries with their digitization projects.

They did it
Here's proof that small libraries can have successful digitization projects.

Remembering the Houses of Western Springs: Digitizing and Providing Access to Photographs of Historic Houses
One Illinois public library got local history on the web and engaged the whole community in the project.

Mt. Lebanon (PA) Public Library (and friends): Presti-Digitization
Our WebJunction Library of the Month for March 2006 led the way for several local libraries to successful digital projects.

Digitize--You Can Do It!
The Hannibal (MO) Free Public Library made its unique history available to the town--and the world.

Lillooet Library: Digitizing the St'at'imc Language
Digitization isn't just for visual images--how a British Columbia library uses its web site to preserve and share local cultural heritage with the entire community.

Editors for this focus:
Lori Bell, Director of Innovation, Alliance Library System
Joe Natale, Administrator, Library Automation & Technology Division, Illinois State Library
Tom Peters, Founder, TAP Information Services
Alyce Scott, Digital Imaging Coordinator, Illinois State Library