Mission
The Digital Library of Georgia is a GALILEO initiative based at the University of Georgia Libraries that collaborates with Georgia's Libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions of education and culture to provide access to key information resources on Georgia history, culture, and life. This primary mission is accomplished through the ongoing development, maintenance, and preservation of digital collections and online digital library resources. The Digital Library of Georgia also provides digital library, photographic, and micrographic services, and supports the instruction, research, and service missions of GALILEO and the University System of Georgia through collaboration with university faculty, students, and staff, and through participation on local and national levels in the development of digital library standards, practice, and technology. The Digital Library facilitates cooperative ventures with other organizations and provides leadership for cooperative digital initiatives throughout the state.
The Digital Library of Georgia at the University of Georgia Libraries has three functional units:
Digital Library of Georgia Production Center
The Digital Library of Georgia Production Center supports the mission and goals of the Digital Library of Georgia by developing, maintaining, and preserving collections of digital content in collaboration with staff from partner institutions, University of Georgia Libraries, and GALILEO. Its work includes metadata, text encoding, and development of supplemental content. The DLG Production Center also includes the ongoing Georgia Government Publications initiative to digitize all publications created by Georgia state agencies.
Photographic Services
Photographic Services supports the mission of the Digital Library of Georgia and the University Libraries by working closely with the Digital Library of Georgia Production Center to provide digital imaging services for Digital Library of Georgia projects. Photographic Services also provides quality photographic and digital imaging services to patrons of the University of Georgia Libraries special collections libraries and University students, faculty, and staff.
Micrographic Services/Georgia Newspaper Project
topMicrographic Services supports the mission of the Digital Library of Georgia and the University Libraries by preserving collections of materials related to the history and culture of Georgia for ongoing access and providing micrographic reproduction services to Library patrons and University students, faculty, and staff. Micrographic Services has primary responsibility for the Georgia Newspaper Project, part of the United States Newspaper Program. The Georgia Newspaper Project films 200 current newspapers on an ongoing basis, and it provides microfilm to libraries, organizations, and individuals across the state. In operation since 1953, the Georgia Newspaper Project has filmed Georgia newspapers dating from the 18th century to the present, and from every county in Georgia that publishes a newspaper.
Guiding Principles
- Usability and accessibility. Build highly usable and
accessible collections to make resources available to as wide a
range of researchers, scholars, students, and the general public
as possible.
- Standards and best practices. Make use of standards,
best practices, and open systems whenever possible to ensure longevity
of and ongoing access to digital, photographic, and micrographic
resources. Contribute to development of these standards and best
practices by participation and collaboration with other digital
library projects.
- Added value. Provide not only digital facsimiles of historical
and cultural materials, but strive to include rich background,
contextual information, description, and metadata to promote deeper
analysis and greater understanding of the collections and materials.
Likewise, develop and implement digital library tools and services
to promote enhanced interpretation, context, and understanding.
- Copyright. Respect the rights of copyright owners and
partner repositories by observing current laws and regulations
regarding copyright and fair use.
- Digital preservation. Maintain and promote awareness
and understanding of preservation of digital collections and take
steps throughout the life cycle of digital materials to ensure
ongoing access and usability.
- Appropriate use of technology. Implementation of new technology will follow the mission and goals of the Digital Library, rather than technology for its own sake. The Digital Library will maintain awareness of digital library and technological developments.
Goals
- Build a sustainable and scalable digital library infrastructure.
- Build comprehensive digital collections that reflect the full
wealth of Georgia's history and culture and ensure fair representation
of traditionally under-represented groups.
- Preserve library collections, including sensitive cultural and
historical resources through appropriate means such as photographic
and micrographic reproduction.
- Facilitate and cooperate in cooperative ventures with other
organizations to build digital collections, resources, and services.
- Contribute to the development of standards and best practices
by participation at multiple levels including local, national,
and international.
- Provide high quality photographic and digital imaging services
to University of Georgia library patrons and University students,
faculty, and staff.
- Promote learning by: 1) providing instructional space and technology, 2) working with university and library faculty to develop instructional resources and programs, and 3) providing interpretive and curricular materials to facilitate the use of digital collections at multiple levels of education.
March 30, 2001
Revised Sept. 9, 2004