Orbis Cascade Alliance
A consortia of colleges and universities in
the Northwest engaged LYRASIS to assist in analyzing workflows and
metadata standards needed to support a presentation of digital objects
with context from finding aids as part of a demonstration grant. The
results was a clear understanding and shared definition of metadata
standards and infrastructure needs thanks to a dynamic expert. As a
result of this project, Orbis Cascade Alliance is moving forward not
only with a substantial redesign of its finding aids site, but with the
groundwork laid to become a Digital Public Library of America content
hub.
“There are few things more productive and fun
than to lock a working group facilitated by Leigh Grinstead in a room
with several pots of coffee for a day. The result? Products that we can
put into use to transform our programs. We’re always grateful for her
assistance.”
Kansas State University
Kansas State University solicited help from
LYRASIS to evaluate its digitization workflows and processes to improve
productivity and efficiency. A strategic task force used the findings
as a tool when assessing the current department that resulted in moving
the digitization unit into a different department, The report was used
to help define roles and responsibilities for managing the digital
lifecycle of its collections, and to create a Digital Initiatives
Librarian position. This new position will be responsible for
implementing many of the recommendations, including defining production
unit workflow, identifying new equipment and software needs, and
developing imaging guidelines. The university is pleased to have a plan
in place to better realize increased productivity and best practices,
similar to examples at other institutions shared by the LYRASIS
consultants.
Indiana State Library
Indiana State Library received consulting
that confirmed its environmental issues and need for additional staff
from an impartial source. The archives was able to document the
necessary changes and better prioritize its needs. As a result, the
archives has since increased patron satisfaction by organizing and
shelving rolled items and by de-binding hospital patient records. The
archives has also reduced risk by boxing books with red rot, storing
rolled items differently, and by bracing slumping files. Additional
activities on the archives’ to do list include hiring more staff,
implementing electronic work orders, acquiring an additional safe,
replacing damaged boxes, increasing its flat files, wrapping paintings,
adding fire extinguisher signs and completing its disaster plan.
“Working with LYRASIS helped confirm some of
our collections care and processing priorities and to re-prioritize some
others. It was helpful having an objective expert review our
situation.”
University of Dayton
University of Dayton received environmental
readings and expert interpretation to guide two follow-up grant
proposals after engaging LYRASIS to evaluate its collection conditions.
As a result, the library implemented rehousing for its prioritized
collections, a rigorous cleaning schedule, and a thorough review of
policies and procedures. Additionally, the library has applied for a
disaster training grant and is in the process of writing a second grant
to support some of the more costly environmental improvements
recommended by LYRASIS. This project has garnered labor savings and
reduced risk for the library, while significantly helping to extend the
life of its vital collections.
Marywood University
Marywood University in Pennsylvania that
received a preservation assistance grant is now better prepared to move
into its new building with a clear strategy for evaluating, moving and
preserving extensive holdings within its collections. The library can
achieve significant savings by outsourcing the digitization of thousands
of photographic slides instead of completing the task on premises.
Additionally, the numerous suggestions provided by the LYRASIS
consultant regarding the preservation and organization of the collection
will reduce the risk of deterioration of artifacts and enhance patron
access to the collection. Many more recommendations will be implemented
once the library is in its new location.
"Working with Tom Clareson was a pleasure.
He was knowledgeable, efficient, and friendly. Tom made the project
proceed smoothly from start to finish, and his work will continue to be
useful for the library well into the future."
Hospital Archives
A hospital in the Rocky Mountain area was
able to create a digitization and preservation plan for its historic
documents and films as a result of collaborating with LYRASIS. The
hospital was able to ensure a successful move to a new location, and is
now working with various departments to preserve and share historic
information, while saving many hours of labor thanks to the assistance
of an expert in developing the digital plan for its archives.