Guide to Options for ETD Programs

Dr. Martin Halbert of the University of North Texas documents the spectrum of ETD program implementation and offers guidance for academic decision-makers who are either creating or modifying ETD programs. Dr. Halbert identifies and offers in-depth analysis regarding the five key decisions that ETD programs must make. He also provides a literature review of publications, standards and reports that have been produced to date, and relates these to the key decisions

Systems approach to document management

The scientific field of Document Management within companies and organizations is very important and in this paper is delivered a systemic approach in both theoretical and empirical level. The study consists of two stages; first is the theoretical analysis of document management and systems and second is the empirical approach by developing and implementing specific strategic and operational planning in a real document management project. In the first stage the definitions of Administration (Management) and Document and the approach the Document Management theories are analyzed. Subsequently, the concept of document management, highlighting the benefits and other elements which made it historically significant and operationally necessary are presented. In the second stage a specific document management project is presented aiming to create an electronic library using document management systems (DMS). Examples of working libraries are illustrated, using DMS in a national and international level. The strategic planning, SWOT & PESTEL analysis and the operational planning of the project is explained. Additionally, the project management plan follows, showing its four stages, study, design, implementation and delivery. Specifically in step two, the stakeholders of the project and their relationships with the using the Design and Control Systemic Methodology (DCSYM) are depicted and the implementation of the project through the development of dynamic simulation of an intelligible model using VENSIM software, representing the main production process followed by a detailed model presentation. The alternative design is projected, given that the project could not be completed with the characteristics given, followed by the development and implementation of the research. The aim here is the assumption of the projects’problems by the stakeholders contribution and the determination of them in the management structure level

Education alignment

This essay reviews recent developments in embedding data management and curation skills into information technology, library and information science, and research-based postgraduate courses in various national contexts. The essay also investigates means of joining up formal education with professional development training opportunities more coherently. The potential for using professional internships as a means of improving communication and understanding between disciplines is also explored. A key aim of this essay is to identify what level of complementarity is needed across various disciplines to most effectively and efficiently support the entire data curation lifecycle

Critique of Architectures for Long-Term Digital Preservation

Evolving technology and fading human memory threaten the long-term intelligibility of many kinds of documents. Furthermore, some records are susceptible to improper alterations that make them untrustworthy. Trusted Digital Repositories (TDRs) and Trustworthy Digital Objects (TDOs) seem to be the only broadly applicable digital preservation methodologies proposed. We argue that the TDR approach has shortfalls as a method for long-term digital preservation of sensitive information. Comparison of TDR and TDO methodologies suggests differentiating near-term preservation measures from what is needed for the long term. TDO methodology addresses these needs, providing for making digital documents durably intelligible. It uses EDP standards for a few file formats and XML structures for text documents. For other information formats, intelligibility is assured by using a virtual computer. To protect sensitive information—content whose inappropriate alteration might mislead its readers, the integrity and authenticity of each TDO is made testable by embedded public-key cryptographic message digests and signatures. Key authenticity is protected recursively in a social hierarchy. The proper focus for long-term preservation technology is signed packages that each combine a record collection with its metadata and that also bind context—Trustworthy Digital Objects.

Yale Leaf Morphology Digitization and Network Project

This article describes a digitization project inspired by the innovative leaf morphology classification work of a faculty member in the Geology and Geophysics Department and the Peabody Museum at Yale University. We began our initiative by scanning the Flora Fossilis Arctica, a 7-volume fossil leaf identification tool covering various geological areas, published between 1868 and 1883. This classic paleobotany resource was digitized, creating tiff, pdf, and searchable pdf files. We are now converting the searchable pdf files into ASCII text, enhancing the raw data with metadata elements, placing this material on the web for searching and display; and linking this material to an existing set of preserved leaf plates, a locally created index of annotated article clippings, an online leaf morphology tutorial, and the published online literature. Many decisions must be made in terms of host platforms, mark-up standards, search and linking options, and preservation documentation. This article will outline our decision process as we explore the post-digitization dataset handling, which may prove instructive for others attempting to create and link locally digitized materials

Digital Preservation Should Be More Holistic: A Digital Stewardship Approach

A considerable amount of creative, cultural, and research output is expressed in digital form. It is imperative that the memory sector rapidly improve its capability and capacity for handling digital content in all forms, including complex data. It took gallery, library, archive, and museum (GLAM) sector institutions somewhere between decades and centuries to implement systems for managing physical collections. Those who work with digital content are acutely aware that the same time frames are not afforded when it comes to saving our digital cultural heritage. The “fragility” of content produced from computing environments — thanks to the rapid churn of technological innovation and obsolescence — means that even acquiring, preserving, and providing sustained access to a seemingly “simple” stand-alone file can take considerable effort. The interdependencies and limitations of the computing platforms, software, hardware, and other peripherals (whether mass-manufactured or custom-developed) bring a level of complexity that is typically not experienced with physical collections

Electronic Records Archives

What are the best practices of electronic records archives the archival field, how can problems be resolved or how to avoid them; and where do we go from here with electronic records archives? First I review practices, policies, and management of electronic records developments. Next I discuss problematic issues archives and research facilities face relating to electronic records. I then discuss and analyze survey results. To conclude, I discuss ideas, and challenges, and offer suggestions for electronic records archives

Overview of Digital Library Components and Developments

Digital libraries are being built upon a firm foundation of prior work as the high-end information systems of the future. A component architecture approach is becoming popular, with well established support for key components like the repository, especially through the Open Archives Initiative. We consider digital objects, metadata, harvesting, indexing, searching, browsing, rights management, linking, and powerful interfaces. Flexible interaction will be possible through a variety of architectures, using buses, agents, and other technologies. The field as a whole is undergoing rapid growth, supported by advances in storage, processing, networking, algorithms, and interaction. There are many initiatives and developments, including those supporting education, and these will certainly be of benefit in Latin America

Access to Digital Cultural Heritage: Innovative Applications of Automated Metadata Generation Chapter 1: Digitization of Cultural Heritage – Standards, Institutions, Initiatives

The first chapter "Digitization of Cultural Heritage – Standards, Institutions, Initiatives" provides an introduction to the area of digitisation. The main pillars of process of creating, preserving and accessing of cultural heritage in digital space are observed. The importance of metadata in the process of accessing to information is outlined. The metadata schemas and standards used in cultural heritage are discussed. In order to reach digital objects in virtual space they are organized in digital libraries. Contemporary digital libraries are trying to deliver richer and better functionality, which usually is user oriented and depending on current IT trend. Additionally, the chapter is focused on some initiatives on world and European level that during the years enforce the process of digitization and organizing digital objects in the cultural heritage domain. In recent years, the main focus in the creation of digital resources shifts from "system-centred" to "user-centred" since most of the issues around this content are related to making it accessible and usable for the real users. So, the user studies and involving the users on early stages of design and planning the functionality of the product which is being developed stands on leading position