The Archives at the Tip of Their Fingers: Exploring User Reactions to Large-Scale Digitization. Issue 1 (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lapworth, Emily; Chung, Su Kim
• Is Part Of: Journal of archival organization. Volume 18:Issue 1/2(2021)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 36
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Archives -- special collections -- digital collections -- large-scale digitization -- digital surrogates -- users; Archives -- Processing -- Periodicals; 025.341
• DOI: 10.1080/15332748.2021.1951022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1533-2748

Abstract

Abstract: Advances in digital image capture technology and the adoption of More Product, Less Process methods have resulted in special collections and archives large-scale digitization that creates a new kind of digital surrogate. Mirroring and reusing aggregate archival arrangement and description, these digital surrogates represent multiple items and are minimally described as a whole. The authors conducted interviews to explore user reactions to this digitization method at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This study found that large-scale digitization does have a positive impact for users, although additional strategies may be required to maximize the usefulness of the resulting digital objects.