Collection development for digital photographs

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges involved in collecting and managing digital photographs and provide advice for librarians in appraising, formulating collection development policies, and negotiating gifts of digital photographs.

Design/methodology/approach

The ideas in the article are based on author's work with digital photographs at Washington State University and research for a workshop taught through the OCLC Western office on digital photograph collections including long term preservation and management.

Findings

By careful appraisal of digital photographs including the consideration of image format, descriptive and technical metadata, and the development of collection development policies, library professionals will ensure that they develop viable collections of digital photographs.

Practical implications

The paper is a very commonsense guide for librarians and visual image curators who are charged to manage and develop collections of digital photographs.

Originality/value

Though there is a vast literature relating to creating in‐house library digital collections, issues relating to digital photograph collection development are not yet available in the professional literature.

Citation

Bond, T.J. (2007), "Collection development for digital photographs", Library Review, Vol. 56 No. 2, pp. 127-133. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530710730312