The University of Texas at Austin
INF 385R/RTF 380G: Survey of Digitization
Unique # 28045 (INF) – 08535 (RTF)/ Fall 2009
Meetings: Thursday, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., UTA 1.210A
Course Instructors:
Assistant Professor: Caroline Frick, Ph.D.
Office: UTA 5.404 - D8600 / 1616 Guadalupe St, Suite 5.202
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 9 am to 11:00am, and by appointment
Email: cfrick@mail.utexas.edu
Tel: (512) 232-9219
Instructional Technology Specialist: Quinn Stewart
Office: UTA 5.454C
Email: quinn@ischool.utexas.edu
Course Description and Objectives: The purpose of this course is to examine the role of
digitization in culture generally, and libraries and archives specifically. A theoretical approach to
the transition from analog to digital systems as well as hands-on experiential work will be
utilized in the classroom. The course will introduce students to how digitization can be used to
create digital reproductions of the kinds of paper and audiovisual collection materials most
commonly found in individual collections and organizational repositories. Students will digitize
photographic formats, printed text, audio, and video – and the experience will be used to
debate the pros and cons of the digitization process.
Students will:
1. learn the concepts of full informational capture, faithful digital reproductions, and
sustainable digital collections;
2. understand the variety of purposes for which digitization is used in libraries and archives
from creating exhibits to building enduring collections;
3. be introduced to how digital operations function within libraries and archives;
4. become familiar with the standards, guidelines, and best practices associated with
digitization.
Required Texts:
1. Reading Packet available at Jenn’s Copies (on Guadalupe next to Madam Mam’s Thai
Restaurant)
2. Jean-Noel Jeanneney’s Google and the Myth of Universal Knowledge (available online
verrrrry cheap or at the library!)
Course Requirements and Grade Percentages:
Analog Archaeology: [10%]
Digitization is a fundamental issue that affects, if not drives, the work of the world’s premiere
cultural heritage organizations as well as businesses large and small. At the same time, digitizing
material impacts all sizes of libraries, historical societies and individuals. This class will be
approaching its core content through the prism of the amateur (but soon to be professional, of
course) genealogist: YOU. More specifically, this means you are responsible for obtaining the
material to be digitized – your history is that which you will be constructing for the portfolio
listed below. You will need to obtain (at a minimum) 10 different objects in each of the
following 4 categories: Text (think letters, diaries, papers, receipts, licenses, awards, etc…);
Photos (analog, obviously, not digital files); Audio (Albums or cassette tapes, etc…) and Video
(VHS, not Betamax.)
BE CREATIVE. If you do not have material with you in Austin (or elsewhere), realize that Austin
is a treasure trove of obsolete formats and go digging! The more eclectic your material is, the
higher your grade will be (for example, do not bring in 10 pages to scan from your favorite 2009
book.) Rather, think about what 10 different kinds of text documents would best represent you
and your interests. What are the challenges in digitizing this material and how is this relevant to
what kinds of selections you will make? THINK LIKE A CURATOR!! But NOTE – your first
digitization exercise will be during Week 4: September 17th.
Digitization Portfolio: [40%]
One major component of this course will be hands-on digitization exercises. You will be
required to turn in files of your final digitized material for evaluation. Equal weight will be given
to each area: Text, Photos, Audio and Film/Video. More information on this aspect of the
course forthcoming.
Reflective Essay: [40%]
The term paper should be an essay of some length (approx. 10- 15 pages) that analytically and
critically approaches some of the themes addressed in class as well as evaluates your own
experience with digitizing content. More information on the paper forthcoming.
End of Term Presentation: [10%]
Our final class day will feature brief oral reports on your digital portfolio and essay.
Regarding Scholastic Dishonesty: The University defines academic dishonesty as cheating,
plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, falsifying academic records, and any act designed to
avoid participating honestly in the learning process. Scholastic dishonesty also includes, but is
not limited to, providing false or misleading information to receive a postponement or an
extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment, and submission of essentially the same written
assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor.
Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary
penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University.
For more information on scholastic dishonesty, please visit the Student Judicial services web
site: www/utexas.edu/depts/dos/sjs/.
By accepting this syllabus, you have agreed to these guidelines and must adhere to them.
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CLASS SCHEDULE:
(Subject to change)
Week 1
Aug. 27:
Week 2
Sept. 3:
Readings:
Week 3
Sept. 10:
Readings:
Introduction to Course, Syllabus, Schedule
Authenticity in the Digital Era
Introduction to the Digitization Lab
Benjamin, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical
Reproduction”; Hirtle, “Archival Authenticity in a Digital Age”; Levy,
“Where’s Waldo? Reflections on Copies and Authenticity in a Digital
Environment”
Digital Preservation and Metadata
Guest Lecturer: Patricia Galloway
Association of Research Libraries, “Recognizing Digitization as a
Preservation Reformatting Method”; Rieger,” Projects to Programs:
Developing a Digital Preservation Policy”; North Carolina ECHO,
Exploring Cultural Heritage Online,” Digital Preservation” (Ch. 6 in
Digitization Guidelines)
NOTE: Digitization Exercises begin next week! Be sure to have a minimum of ten items for
scanning…
Week 4
Sept. 17:
Digitizing Text / OCR
Guest Lecturer: Uri Kolodney, UT Libraries
Readings:
Conway, “Digital Technology Made Simpler”; Lee, Ch. 1 “Where do you
Start? The Digitization Project” and Ch. 3 “How do you Digitize?”
Due:
Bring to class a minimum of ten text documents for scanning exercises
Week 5
Sept. 24:
Digitizing Text / OCR and Field Trip!!
Guest Lecturer: Uri Kolodney , UT Libraries
Readings:
Blatner, Fleishman, Roth, Ch.1,2, 5 and 6
Due:
Bring to class a minimum of ten text documents for scanning exercises
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Week 6
Oct. 1:
Copyright Complications
Guest Lecturer: Georgia Harper, School of Information
Readings:
* Jeanneney, “Google and the Myth of Universal Knowledge” (skim);
Toobin, “Google’s Moon Shot”; Last, “Google and Its Enemies”
Due:
Bring to class a minimum of ten text documents for scanning exercises
Week 7
Oct. 8:
Readings
Week 8
Oct. 15:
Selection / Project Management
Guest Lecturer: Ellen Cunningham-Kruppa, Kilgarlin Center
Lynch, “Digital Collections, Digital Libraries and the Digitization of
Cultural Heritage Information”; Vogt-O’Connor, “Selection of Materials
for Scanning”; National Information Standards Organization, “A
Framework of Guidance for Building Good Digital Collections:
Collections”
Photo Digitization
Guest Lecturer: Linda Peterson, Center for American History
Readings:
Frey, “Working with Photographs”; Frey and Reilly, “Digital Imaging for
Photographic Collections: Foundations for Technical Standards
Due:
Bring to class a minimum of ten photos for scanning exercises
Week 9
Oct. 22:
Photo Digitization
Readings:
Frey, “Working with Photographs”; Frey and Reilly, “Digital Imaging for
Photographic Collections: Foundations for Technical Standards
Due:
Bring to class a minimum of ten photos for scanning exercises
Week 10
Oct. 29:
Audio Digitization
Readings:
SafeSound Archive,“Planning an Audio Preservation Transfer Project”;
Colorado Digitization Program’s “Digital Audio Best Practices,” ver. 2.0
Due:
Bring to class a minimum of ten albums/audiotapes for digitization
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Week 11
Nov. 5:
Audio Digitization
Guest Lecturer: Sarah Cunningham, LBJ Library
Readings:
SafeSound Archive,“Planning an Audio Preservation Transfer Project”;
Colorado Digitization Program’s “Digital Audio Best Practices,” ver. 2.0
Due:
Bring to class a minimum of ten albums/audiotapes for digitization
Week 12
Nov. 12:
Film / Video Digitization
Guest Lecturer: Dr. Afsheen Nomai, TAMI and the Alamo Drafthouse
Readings:
Please download and read The Digital Dilemma:
http://www.oscars.org/council/digital_dilemma/index.html
Walsh, “Do we need film?”
Due:
Bring to class a minimum of ten videotapes for digitization
Week 13
Nov. 19:
Video Digitization and [Digital] Curation
Guest Lecturer: Steve Wilson, Harry Ransom Center
Readings
Keen, Intro. and Ch.2, “Digital Video Preservation Reformatting Project,”
pp. 1-44
Due:
Bring to class a minimum of ten albums/audiotapes for digitization
Week 14
Nov. 26:
NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING!!
Week 15
Dec. 3:
Conclusions and Presentations
** Final Papers / Portfolios Due: Monday, December 7th **
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