Legal ownerships and any donor restrictions must be determined before the digitization of materials.

San Jose State University

Here are some of the reasons why collections managers choose to digitize:

- Ownership and Copyright of the materials
- Broad Research Value of the materials
- Local Research Value of the materials
- High-Demand Collections
- Unique Collections
- Availability of Other Formats of the materials
- Collaborative Collection Building
- Size of User Community for the materials
- Funding and Budgeting 
- Long Term Considerations 

Factors in Selecting Materials for Digitization 

Matthews, L. M. (1997). The Collection Management Perspective. Collection Management, 22(3), 193.

The Collection Management Perspective

If multiple communities benefit from the digitalization of the materials in question, these materials will become a high priority in the digitization process.

Considering the broad research Value of the materials when looking at digitizing  

Considering the ownership and copyright of materials selected for digitization 

If a collection is in very high demand, and the digitization of materials could aid access, it would naturally be a high priority. Digitalization would help alleviate the strain on both staff and users waiting to access physical copies. This process would also allow users to have access to the materials without library staff assistance. 

Considering High-Demand Collections for digitization 

Collection managers must always look at and assess the local community's needs. If certain materials could aid in collaboration with the academic programs studieds and focuses they have a higher priority to be digitized. 

Considering Local Research Value of the materials when selecting for digitization 

Digitization improves access to materials, but some materials already exist in other formats that could be shared, such as microfilm. You wouldn't want to spend time and money digitizing something if there is a good preservation form that already exists. 

Looking at the availability of materials in other formats when considering them for digitization 

If the user community for a digital collection is large enough to justify the cost of digitization, it would be beneficial to the institution. 

The size of the user community could affect digitization 

The collection manager is responsible for holding the library to a strict budget. Budget limitations can impact how many and which digital-imaging projects get implemented and when.

Funding plays into digitization 

A collection's condition and preservation issues could play a significant role in determining which items get digitized. Both print and non-print materials pose different problems. It must be determined if digitizing will help lengthen the life of the materials and if that outways the initial cost of digitizing and maintaining the digital format.  

Considering the long term effect on the condition of the materials and digitization 

If a collection is unique to a single library and not duplicated elsewhere, it would be valuable to the university and users. Digitizing a collection improves access to current users, attracts new users, and adds credibility to the university's entire collection. 

Considering Unique Collections for Digitization 

If you have a collection that could contribute or relate to a collection in another institution, there may be a chance for some collaborative collection building. Digitizing your collection not only adds value to your institution but could add to the holdings at other institutions, making it a higher priority to digitize.   

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