Information Technology

From the Executive Summary:

The OSUL Executive Committee charged the Strategic Digital Initiatives Working Group with evaluating the Libraries’ existing digital libraries environment and developing a set of guidelines to enable the Libraries to adopt a more modernized digital library environment. As part of this process, the SDIWG developed two documents: A set of Guiding Principles (Appendix A) that can be used to encourage a more uniform approach to digital project and infrastructure development and this formal White Paper outlining the core functional elements that need to be supported to enable OSUL to move its digital libraries program forward.

The White Paper is divided into multiple sections, providing the Guiding Principles, information about the Core Component Matrix, an evaluation of the Key Policies, an identification of gaps that need to be addressed, and finally, recommendations. This White Paper does not make specific technical infrastructure recommendations, but rather proposes a framework from which those decisions could be made to best support a flexible and innovative digital environment at OSUL.

Full Report: https://go.osu.edu/osul_di_whitepaper

Following the acceptance of the White Paper, the SDIWG members met with a wide range of groups within the Libraries.  One of the key groups where the White Paper was discussed was AdminPlus.  Attached is the presentation given to that group.

–tr

URL: http://library.osu.edu/documents/SDIWG/AdminPlus_di_white_paper_discussion.pptx

The OSUL Digital Initiative Principles provide a set of guiding statements and principles that has framed the DI work done at OSUL since their acceptance.  This is a foundational document that underscores the key values driving the program.

URL: https://go.osu.edu/osul_di_principles

From the Executive Summary: 

The Archival Collection Task Force was created and charged by the Strategic Digital Initiatives Working Group (SDIWG) and the Libraries Executive Group with the task of evaluating the current archive collections process; to identify workflows, map data flow, identify key user communities, survey the current technical environment, and make recommendations keeping in mind the challenges that the organization will face in the future.  Additionally, the work of this task force would be informed by two key documents created by the SDWIG.  The first of these documents was the Digital Initiatives Guiding Principles.  The Principles lay out the scaffolding for how we evaluate new projects and technologies.  They underscore the key principles that will inform how the Libraries’ reimagines the digital library infrastructure and program – of which, the ability to share data, provide modular services, and function as part of a larger information management platform are key components.  The second document framing this discussion is a White Paper on the implementation of a re-envisioned digital library infrastructure at OSUL.  These two documents provide the context around the formation of this task force, and their recommendations influenced the outcome of this task force’s recommendation.

Full Report: https://go.osu.edu/osul_di_arc_col_tf

Presentation: http://www.slideshare.net/reese_terry/open-repositories-2014-poster

Over the past year, the SDIWG working group has been working hard to identify gaps, opportunities, and lay the foundation down to continue moving the Libraries towards a more programmatic approach to digital collections.  The development of the DI White Paper, the Guiding Principles, coupled with work done by the Preservation Working Group have all contributed in helping the Libraries get to where it is today.  And where is that?  We are in a place of deeper collaboration, and a place where we are beginning to see the Libraries, through AD&S and it’s partners, moving to implement a number of components related to the Libraries’ new digital infrastructure.  It’s exciting and a little nerve-wracking all at the same time, as we see the Libraries make its next evolutionary leaps.

And as exciting as this is for me, it was only made possible by the hard work of people to numerous to mention and an organization that has shifted it’s organization to support this type of very deliberate, but at the same time organic, growth.  Its work we want to share, and highlight, and show other people that Ohio State University Libraries is moving, and moving in a good direction.  At Open Repositories 2014, I’ll be highlighting this work, the people, and the organizational structures that are moving the Libraries forward.

-tr