Uncharted territory: A case study in map digitisation and faculty partnerships
Abstract
This paper presents a case study of a collaborative digitisation initiative at Florida Gulf Coast University, undertaken to increase the visibility and use of the institution’s environmental map collections. Oversized maps such as these are strong candidates for digitisation because their physical dimensions make handling difficult and limit access for patrons. The maps held in the University Archives and Special Collections at Florida Gulf Coast University also contain complex technical and environmental data, introducing additional challenges for digitisation and description. This paper discusses the development of partnerships with faculty across campus and the collaborative work undertaken to prioritise, interpret and digitise the collection. It then outlines the rationale behind key decisions, emphasising the shared expertise that shaped the project. It concludes with reflections on the project’s ongoing nature, the strengthened partnerships it has generated, and the resulting increase in the use and visibility of the map collections. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at http://hstalks.com/business.
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Author's Biography
Victoria Jones is the University Archivist at Florida Gulf Coast University. As the university’s first full-time archivist, she has developed and implemented department-wide systems, frameworks and multi-phase projects to increase the use and access of materials in the University Archives and Special Collections. Her work considers cross-disciplinary collaboration and sustainable approaches to building digital collections, particularly those that highlight local history and ecology. Jones’s areas of research and professional interest include digitisation and discovery, primary source instruction, internship pedagogy and assessment. She received her MA in history from the University of North Florida and her MLIS from the University of Southern Mississippi with a graduate certificate in archives and special collections.
