Moving Theory into Practice: Digital Imaging for Libraries and Archives

Citation

Levy, T. (2003), "Moving Theory into Practice: Digital Imaging for Libraries and Archives", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 59 No. 4, pp. 497-498. https://doi.org/10.1108/00220410310485857

The principal authors, Anne R. Kenney and Oya Y. Rieger, are at Cornell University Library. Anne Kenney is Associate Director of the Department of Preservation and Oya Reiger is Co‐ordinator of the Digital Imaging and Preservation Unit. They have collaborated since 1997, including several articles published by the Research Libraries Group and the RLG DigiNews, its electronic newsletter. Their Moving Theory into Practice tutorial, which is available at the Cornell library Web site (www.library.cornell.edu/preservation/tutorial/index.html), appears to be the basis for their contribution this book.

The book, however, also includes 50 other authors’ contributions and so is much more then what is available in that tutorial. They describe the book as a self‐help reference book to foster critical thinking. As they don't give you answers, but processes, the second aspect of their description is the more accurate. Their reasons for not giving the answers is that the technology evolves too fast and any answer they would give would be out of date by publication. So, instead they describe the many tasks involved in creating digital image collections and how you might arrive at your own answers.

They have organised these tasks into the four areas: selection, conversion, management and preservation. Their credo is plan and set benchmarks for evaluations and production. They attempt to move away from terms such as “legible” or “good colour match” to measurable test results that establish a standard or benchmark to define these adjectives. They do provide several examples of how other people have set up tests and created benchmarks for evaluating digital production.

They have several authors writing about each area, which gives you a variety of perspectives and experience. Unfortunately, the presentation organisation is unconventional and I found it confusing. They use a layout technique referred to as “sidebars” which usually provide related information. The basic concept is good, but in this case sometimes the sidebars take on a life of their own and you are actually reading parallel articles. Sometimes only the grey background of the sidebar is the only indicator where you are. It is a bit like being in a middle of a lively discussion where not everyone totally agrees, nor are they waiting their turn. If however, you are sufficiently self‐disciplined, you can tune out those others demanding attention and read each author's article through and then go back and pick up the other authors’ ideas. Or you can read them all simultaneously.

All in all, there is a great deal of real information here, from a great discussion of colour theory in digital terms to the latest concepts of digital preservation. I may be prejudiced, in that it is always extremely satisfying to read you own thoughts confirmed by two very experienced digital experts, but I do urge everyone who is involved with converting collections into digital format, to read this book, cover to cover in what ever manner is comfortable for you.