New Digitization Program for Libraries Announced

May 28, 2014

COLUMBIA, SC – Libraries often have photographs, local histories, maps, family papers and/or genealogical documents that could reach a wider audience if digitized and made available online.  The South Carolina State Library’s newDigitization in a Box Project allows South Carolina’s public libraries with limited resources an opportunity to highlight their unique collections.

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The Digitization in a Box Project allows public libraries in South Carolina to borrow scanning equipment, laptop, and software from the State Library to start a new digitization project.  Staff from libraries who participate in this program will be provided hands-on training from State Library staff on best practices of scanning, workflows, metadata, and promotion. Equipment will be loaned for a 2 month period.

The purpose of this new program is to encourage libraries to make available digital collections to support the educational, recreational, and informational needs of citizens. Collections will be hosted at the South Carolina Digital Library (scmemory.org) and searchable at the Digital Public Library of America (dp.la).

For project proposal form, guidelines, and additional information, please visit http://statelibrary.sc.libguides.com/digital-collections/diab.

About the S.C. State Library

The South Carolina State Library is the primary administrator of federal and state support for the state’s libraries. The Library is a national model for innovation, collaboration, leadership and effectiveness.  The Library’s mission is to optimize South Carolina’s investment in library and information services. In 1969, as the result of action by the General Assembly, the State Library Board was redesignated as the South Carolina State Library and assumed responsibility for public library development, library service for state institutions, service for the blind and physically handicapped, and library service to state government agencies. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Library is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and other sources.  For more information, please visit www.statelibrary.sc.gov or call 803-734-8666.