Digital Libraries and National Digitization Programmes: How Does Canada Compare?

My most recent post, Digital Libraries and National Digitization Programmes, can be seen over on ActiveHistory.ca.  The post looks at digitization initiatives in the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom in comparison to recent efforts by Library and Archives Canada to begin a large scale digitization project.

Archival Digitization and The Struggle to Create Useful Digital Reproductions

My most recent post, "Archival Digitization and The Struggle to Create Useful Digital Reproductions" can be seen over on the Activehistory.ca site.  The post focuses on the way that digitization has changed traditional archival research, common problems with digital archival surrogates, and efforts archives are making to improve digitization. 

Creating Archival Professional Development Workshops

Over the course of the spring and summer my work is holding weekly events focused on library and archives professional development, training, and themes.  The sessions will be open current staff, university faculty, and local professionals.  As part of this series a colleague and I are going to be facilitating three sessions focusing on archives.  … Continue reading Creating Archival Professional Development Workshops

Newsletters: Outreach and Memory

I've been thinking a lot about organizational newsletters recently.  These thoughts were mainly spurred by having spent the better part of two days digitizing early copies of the Algoma Missionary News.  Like many newsletters the Algoma Missionary News contains information about new appointments, events, holidays, and staff/client interaction. More significantly, the Algoma Missionary also contains information … Continue reading Newsletters: Outreach and Memory

Digital Overload and Digital Irony

Like most people today I spend most of my day interacting with digital technology in some way. Digital mediums are a crucial part of my job, even though most of the physical material I'm working with was created long before the internet and computer became mainstream. This contrast seems reasonable when you look at it … Continue reading Digital Overload and Digital Irony

Virtual Mourning Reexamined

Ages ago I wrote a post on Virtual Dark Tourism which examined the idea of virtual graveyards and the rise of on-line memorials. A Spark podcast recently brought the issue of 'virtual mourning' back to my mind. I recommend listening to the brief portion of the podcast which discusses virtual mourning and the impact which … Continue reading Virtual Mourning Reexamined

Upcoming Projects

With all the New Years resolutions floating around I decided it would be valuable for me to record some of my intentions for the upcoming months. Below is a rough list of projects I have on the go or plan on beginning in the new year.Presentations:-OLA Super Conference, Toronto, February 2010. "Community Digitization Program: Collaboration … Continue reading Upcoming Projects

Online Resource: Our Ontario

I recently stumbled across an interesting digitization project. OurOntario.ca is a division of Knowledge Ontario. The project aims to make various cultural collections in Ontario more accessible through digitization. Our Ontario works with community organizations throughout Ontario to establish effective and efficient digitization plans. Additionally, the site is geared toward researchers of all ages and … Continue reading Online Resource: Our Ontario

Saved from the black hole.

Tomorrow is British Columbia's 150th anniversary. As part of the commemoration of this anniversary the Globe and Mail featured an article outlining the history that BC's founding. The article also made mention of a particular digital resource, who's history is somewhat amazing on its own. The site of mention is The Colonial Despatches, which is … Continue reading Saved from the black hole.