Afterword: Post-Survey Discussions with the Constituent Communities

At the conclusion of the 2004 survey, IMLS held facilitated telephone discussions with practitioners from the five constituent communities represented in the survey: museums, public libraries, academic libraries, archives, and state library administrative agencies.

The participants were asked about the needs of their individual organizations and of their fields in using technology and undertaking digitization to better serve the public. They were asked what issues the Institute should study to best serve them. The participants were asked whether the survey should be repeated in the future.

The views expressed in the discussions largely corresponded with and validated the survey findings. The groups pointed out ways the Institute can help address their needs. They concurred that the 2001 and 2004 surveys provided useful information, particularly about trends over time. They said that a third survey would be useful and suggested improvements toward that end.

Summary of the Participants’ Comments and Suggestions

1. There is a need for information appropriate to the institution’s size and type about

• developing models, guidelines, standards, policies, best practices, and effective business models for both technology and digitization activities;
• successful collaborations and how they can be replicated;
• hardware and software choices, including interoperability issues.

2. Institutions want to participate in sharing information about

• ongoing projects utilizing a particular tool or method, or covering a particular topic;
• successful projects and collaborations;
• webcasts, webstreaming, and other electronic ways to participate in conferences.

3. Institutions would like information, training, and guidance on how to better assess user needs, including methods of collecting information about the characteristics of users, how they use an institution’s technology and digitization services and products, and for what purpose. Those in the library field are particularly interested in information-seeking behaviors.

4. To be able to plan effective digitization and technology projects, institutions need

• case studies, particularly business case studies;
• models for project management;
• information technology strategic planning models, training, and guidance.

5. Staff needs education and training in order to

• keep current with technology and digitization developments;
• learn project management skills;
• perform needs assessments.

6. Respondents also requested assistance with

• long-term preservation, especially of born-digital material and the sustainability of digital products;
• staff management, training, and retention;
• incorporating new technologies;
• linking digitization projects within and across collections.

The participants suggested ways that IMLS could support them, including

1. Conducting studies on

• user needs in both digital products and technology
• technology use in services to the public, including the latest changes and the ability of technology to draw new audiences;

2. Conducting or sponsoring conferences on

• how new technologies can change the way institutions do business, such as changes in integrated library systems
• the lessons of successful projects, particularly digitization projects
• digital archives;

3. Encouraging interoperability in software applications, such as integrated library systems and cross-collection searching of digital images;

4. Encouraging and supporting communities of practice that enable people to share information, expertise, and experience.

IMLS appreciates the contributions each of the participants and groups made to our understanding of their needs and thanks them for their suggestions for the Institute’s continuing work on their behalf.