Digitisation Projects: Workflows

This guide outlines the various options available to those undertaking digitisation projects, considering the entire workflow from planning, hosting, copyright, digital imaging, metadata, software, web publishing tools etc.

Sample Workflow

A workflow is a sequence of processes and activities through which a project passes from initiation to completion.

Workflow coordination is not necessarily a linear process; for example, there may be overlapping workflows for conservation, digitisation and metadata creation.

It is useful, however, to determine the rough flow of events, and then within that to allow for flexibility.

The flow may look something like the following:

1. Survey and evaluate the physical collection

2. Evaluate and clear copyright

3. Index collection with corresponding metadata fields

4. Plan file-naming convention and collection structure

5. Conserve the physical materials

6. Digitise collection, using the file-naming convention

7. Image processing of digital files

8. Backup and save digital files

9. Transfer digital files if collection is to be hosted by UCD Digital Library

If you wish to discuss the possibility of depositing your collection into UCD Digital Library please contact Julia Barrett, Head of Research Services, UCD Library (julia.barrett@ucd.ie) as early on as possible in your planning.