Mass Digitization: Implications for Preserving the Scholarly Record
Mass Digitization: Implications for Preserving the Scholarly Record
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Date
2008-01
Authors
Hahn, Trudi Bellardo
Advisor
Citation
Hahn, Trudi Bellardo (2008). Mass digitization: Implications for preserving the scholarly record. Library Resources & Technical Services, 52(1), 18-26.
DRUM DOI
Abstract
Libraries and archives have a critical role in preserving the scholarly record;
many players in the publication cycle depend on them for this. Preservation of
scholarly books that are being digitized has lagged far behind preservation initiatives for electronic journals. The issue has become more critical, as large commercial companies such as Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft have begun mass digitization
of millions of books in research libraries. Since December 2004, the pace of developments has been rapid, involving great risks on Google’s part over the copyright
issue. Google and certain participating libraries have not addressed the issue of
whether or not all this effort to digitize huge numbers of books indiscriminately
will serve students’ and scholars’ needs in the long run. Quality, secrecy, and
long-term stability are all issues that suggest it may be foolish to expect that
commercial companies will share librarians’ values and commitment to digitized
material preservation. The information profession must exert strong leadership
in setting policies, standards, and best practices for long-term preservation of the
scholarly record.