A Simple Guide to Digital Metadata
In this blog, we’ll outline some high-level aspects of digital metadata. It can be stored inside or outside of an image and consists of several different attributes; you’ve probably heard of administrative, descriptive, structural, and technical metadata, for example. We use it in file names and use it to enrich Digital Asset Managers (DAMs). What […]
A Transparent Overview of Film & Negative Digitization
Resources that allow light to pass through them are called “transmissive”. This includes slides, photographic negatives, microforms, glass plates, and all manner of film: motion picture, aerial, and more. Digitizing these materials can be complicated. They are often delicate, they come in odd shapes, and there are additional factors to consider that you don’t typically […]
Approaches to Digitizing Scrapbooks
Wonderfully diverse and occasionally complicated, scrapbooks are considered messy treasures of archival collections. Scrapbooking is a centuries-old practice with surviving works dating back as early as the 15th century. These pieces feature many different types of materials, methods, and perspectives. However, the very thing that makes these resources incredible to study is what also causes […]
The Optimal Optical Character Recognition: OCR and Digitization
The majority of Digital Asset Managers (DAMs) are able to support searching within the text of a document if the uploaded metadata includes Optical Character Recognition (OCR). For those who are new to digitization, OCR is the conversion of text in images to something machine-readable. This machine-readable data is then accessible to users, adding an […]
Structured Data Extraction Using Artificial Intelligence | Doxie.AI
Vijay Singh, President of Doxie.AI delves into the use of artificial intelligence to identify, categorize, and extract textual data from digital image sources in government documents, library special collections, and archival materials. Artificial intelligence allows Doxie to work far beyond the limited capabilities of an OCR engine, identifying text that is out of alignment, obscured, or even handwritten, and extracting key elements to build database content that increases discovery and makes digital image collections searchable with the data points that are most meaningful to users.
A Passing FADGI – Keeping Up With the Star-Studded Guidelines
“FADGI is a collaborative effort started in 2007 by federal agencies to articulate common sustainable practices and guidelines for digitized and born digital historical, archival and cultural content.” – Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative FADGI, standing for Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative, is more than just a standard for taking photos. It’s a way of […]
Product Spotlight: Digitizing with South Carolina State Library
“We are pleased to provide citizens with instant access to details about the South Carolina legislature and its members. Technology from Backstage Library Works allows us to make the South Carolina Legislative Manual collection available while preserving history for future generations.” -Leesa Aiken, Agency Director, South Carolina State Library “We worked together to establish a […]
An Introduction to METS/ALTO For Your Digitized Collections
METS and ALTO – popularly, METS/ALTO – are terms that are thrown around when you start talking about digitizing and hosting your collections. Not all digital asset management programs, or DAMs, require METS or ALTO files, but a handful do (Veridian being a notable example), and if you’re considering article level segmentation, or ALS, then […]
Preservation and Access, the Married Conversation
Think to that rare local newspaper collection you have sitting in your library. Due to inexpensive manufacturing techniques, these papers were not built to last and, with every use, they become more worn. Yet, patrons for years to come will still want access to this invaluable material. It’s time to come up with a solution, […]
Choosing What Digital Image Format Works Best for You
When you’re looking to start your first digitization project, file type options can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with their advantages and disadvantages. Backstage can help you understand the different types of deliverables common for digital imaging projects and make sure you are getting the most out of your files. Choosing the best […]
