Making Room: Digitizing Your Scholarly Output

Abstract

With an eye toward repurposing physical library space, the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries has moved forward with the digitization of post-1923 theses and dissertations created by its student body. This scholarly work is unique to the university and therefore has priority for digitization. With the entire collection totaling nearly 30,000 volumes and consuming a large portion of library shelving, a one-year pilot project began on February 1, 2016 to digitize 1,000 volumes. The volumes are made available through the institutional repository called KU ScholarWorks. This retroactive digitization of duplicate copies also allows for better inventory control – one archival copy will remain in off-site storage while an electronic copy is added to those post-2006 that the Libraries has acquired in born-digital form. The workflow librarians developed aims to provide online access while monitoring staff/student time, equipment costs, copyright, storage, and preservation concerns. One year into the process, the presenter shares lessons learned and future goals for the project.