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March Cites & Insights: Crawford at Large

February D-Lib Magazine

From Vol. 6 No. 1 of RLG DigiNews, "We don't know the first thing about digitization:" Assessing the Need for Digitization Training in Illinois by Trevor Jones and Beth Sandore

Ask non-specialists what it takes to complete a digital imaging project, and responses will range from a desire to "slap it on a scanner and go" to uncomprehending glassy-eyed stares. The reality lies somewhere between these two extremes, but it is apparent that many cultural heritage professionals are confused by the digitization process. Most are interested in digitizing some part of their collections, but often possess only a vague idea of how to begin. Although great advances have been made in the development of standards and best practices for digitization, these principles have yet to filter down to the majority of non-specialists. In Illinois, as in many states, there is such pressure to "get materials on the Web" that digitization projects are often hastily planned and poorly executed. [read more]

Digitisation 

Digitisation: do we have a strategy? by David Pearson

The notion that we are living through times of great change in the communication of information and the transmission of texts is a truism which will bring a weary look to most professionals with any kind of involvement in the area. The digital age, the information age, the electronic age ñ weíve all heard these terms so many times and have sat through innumerable discussions, and seen even more documents, trying to sort out what it all means. There are almost as many views on the likely pace of change and the shape of the landscape 10 or 20 years from now as there are librarians to hold forth on the subject. Perhaps this helps to explain why the library community as a whole seems to be in such a rudderless state regarding the creation of digital content; no shortage of action, but no overall sense of direction. I am talking here about digitization of our documentary heritage, that vast mass of books, archives and other media which fill our library shelves today. [read more]

Do it yourself 

Cornell Professor Offers a Guide to Producing Handsome Books on Home Computers Scott Carlson interviews Douglas Holleley

Douglas Holleley, an educator and photographer, is the author of Digital Book Design and Publishing, recently released by the Cary Graphic Arts Press of the Rochester Institute of Technology and Mr. Holleley's own press, Clarellen. Mr. Holleley's manual details the ways that modern technologies and software can help aspiring authors or artists produce their own books at home, taking the power that has belonged to publishers for centuries and putting it instead in the hands of the people. Mr. Holleley is currently a visiting professor of art at Cornell University. [read more]

Digital Book Design and Publishing by Dr. Douglas Holleley

If you are thinking of self-publishing, please consider Acme for you short run printing and binding.

But, how many are out there? 

London Bookseller Pays $14,000 for Harry Potter Book

According to Reuters, a first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone sold for almost $14000 at London action house Bonhams Tuesday. Purchaser Adrian Harrington, who dubbed the book "probably the most important children's book since The Lord of the Rings," said he will offer the volume for sale at his London bookstore.