Collections digitization is a primary focus of the Harvard Library, and open access is a fundamental value that guides and prioritizes our efforts. Unless intellectual property rights or licensing agreements prohibit, worldwide unrestricted access is provided to online collections.
Harvard libraries, archives, and museums seeking collections digitization services should consult Imaging Services wiki pages↗ which offer a range of resources for digitization project partners, including instructions for requesting collections digitization services.
← Save the Libraries, part of Rothstein Political Button Collection
Harvard Kennedy School Library & Research Services PB_151
Process and partnerships
Collections are never as carefully scrutinized as when they are being digitized—when meticulous attention is taken to expose every item to a camera or scanner. The digitization process sets a collection in motion, providing a rare opportunity to maximize positive outcomes through collaboration:
- Items are repaired or reinforced through conservation treatment.
- Descriptive metadata records are created or enhanced.
- Collection storage and the ways physical items are served are reconsidered.
- Digitization has enabled the development of novel modes of inquiry, including search, analysis, and comparison.
Digitizing transforms library collections by making them easier to discover and access, by enabling computationally assisted scholarship, and by preserving the information content for future generations. Our methodology involves the collaboration of librarians, preservation and conservation specialists, catalogers, and digitization professionals.