Ontario Digitization Initiative
Moving forward through collaboration
Peter Duerr, York University
Peter Duerr, York University
Carol Perry, University of Guelph
Carol Perry, University of Guelph
TRY Conference
May
2011
May3,
3, 2011
Abstract
Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL)
established the Ontario Digitization Initiative
(ODI) in 2008.
 Objective – to mass digitize 50 million pages
of government documents.
 1 million pages have been processed so far.
 Our presentation outlines the obstacles
overcome, remaining challenges and
upcoming strategies for further success.

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Today’s Agenda
Background – ODI Project
 Pilot Project Outline
 Current Work
 Challenges
 Moving forward

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Background
OCUL $100,000 commitment to digitize government
publications
 Formed strategic partnerships
 Strategizing/information gathering/re: priorities &
best practices

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Establishment of ODI
the Ontario Digitization Initiative

Developed mandate

Initiated 6 month pilot project

Pilot project collections identified &
prioritized
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Pilot Project results = 912,000 pages
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Pilot Project Outcomes
Bills
MOE Reports
Revised Regulations
Revised Statutes
Signed Bills
Regulations
Statutes
LLMC & ECO
12%
3%
6%
34%
4%
12%
26%
3%
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Open Access – Internet Archive

http://www.archive.org/
Select “Canadian Libraries” from the drop-down menu
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Open Access Scholars Portal
E-books

http://books1.scholarsportal.info/home.html
Select “Public Collections Only” option
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Public viewing - IA downloads

Wherever information is placed – people will find it
and use it
April 2009-Nov 2010
April 2009-April 2011
•
Bills
Min. of Environment
Sessional papers
Statutes
Regulations
Commissions
14,164
244,482
29,792
10,305
26,576
2,734
15,855
270,091
36,672
12,333
35,150
3,216
•
Total downloads =
328,053
373,317
•
•
•
•
•
Public viewing - Scholars Portal

Number of views April 2010 - April 2011
– Ontario Statutes = 209
– Ontario Sessional Papers = 8357
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Acknowledge reality

There will be challenges!!!
–
–
–
–
–
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Funding
Personnel
Turnover of working group members
Access (metadata)
Copyright permissions
Locating paper copies
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Current projects

Ontario Sessional Papers
– OCUL funding

Royal Commissions & Commissions of Inquiry
– Funded by Law Foundation of Ontario

OMAFRA Bulletins
– University of Guelph
Scholars Portal Metadata improvement Project
 McMaster digitization project

– Conservation authorities collection
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Moving forward

April 2011 - Developed 2-year strategic plan
– Seek new funding opportunities
 OMAFRA KTT
 LFO
– Work with other stakeholders

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Last copy agreements
Best practices
Protocols
Compile list of other digitization projects – wiki
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ODI Contacts
Chair: Carol Perry carolp@uoguelph.ca
Peter Duerr pduerr@york.ca
Kate Davis kate@scholarsportal.info
Helene LeBlanc hleblanc@wlu.ca
Sam-chin Li samchin.li@utoronto.ca
Karen Marshall karen.marshall@uwo.ca
Simone O’Byrne Simon.OByrne@ontario.ca
Kathy Scardellato kathy.scardellato@ocul.on.ca
(OCUL Executive Director)
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Thank You
Questions?
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