The Albert Einstein archives digitization project: opening hidden treasures

• Published in: Library hi tech 2014-06, Vol.32 (2), p.318-335
• Main Authors: Mendelsson, Dalia, Falk, Edith, L. Oliver, Amalya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Applications; Applications (e.g. Digitizing,...); Archives; Archives & records; Construction; Cultural heritage; Digital archives; Digitization; Digitizing; Documentation institutions; Exact sciences and technology; Hardware; Information and communication sciences; Information and communication technologies; Information science. Documentation; Information technologies: storage media, equipment; Information technology; Intellectual property; Judaic studies; Librarianship/library management; Libraries; Library & information science; Library and information science; Library technology; Museums; National libraries; Project management; School environment; Sciences and techniques of general use; Studies; Universities
• ISSN: 0737-8831; 2054-166X
• DOI: 10.1108/LHT-07-2013-0084

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the organizational and technological processes and strategic choices that led to the successful digitization project of the Albert Einstein Archives. Design/methodology/approach – This is a case study of the major challenges that were associated with the project. These include: the integration of the archives in the academic environment; the management of a project of such magnitude within the university organization and between different stakeholders and the technological aspects of the project and user experience. Findings – A digitization project requires not only the archival staff expertise but also information specialists, IT staff, analysts and usually the digitization staff for processing the archival material. Finding the common language between all the professionals involved as well as building a good strategic plan are the keys to a successful project. Research limitations/implications – The planning and implementation of such a project requires a significant budget, manpower project management, hardware, software and intra- and inter-organizational cooperation and coordination. Originality/value – The phenomenon of digitizing unique and exclusive archival data by universities is becoming an innovative contribution of hidden goods to the public at large. This paper offers strategic insights for the planning of similar digitizing projects, particularly in an academic environment.