Put a ruler in the shot: Lessons from implementing effective resolution for photographed materials

Abstract

This paper focuses on practical methods to monitor and maintain quality in camera-based digitisation of archival materials with a student team. Drawing on their experience at the University of Oklahoma Libraries Digitization Lab as a supervisor and a graduate student assistant, the authors write about a quality failure due to an equipment change; equipment capability testing; adjustments in the photography process; and then implementation of practical methods and training to bolster the knowledge and skills of a team that had no other experience with digitisation. They discuss employee feedback, and some benefits of working with and developing employees with less experience in digitisation. Finally, they offer recommendations that can improve both digitisation quality and employee success. This paper presents a specific case study at a mid-sized university that is broadly applicable for digitisation professionals in a variety of settings.