Preparedness for digitization projects in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) information providing agencies

Abstract

Due to the demand for information and extended operating hours, information providing agencies face challenges with providing information at any time when needed. This study investigated the preparedness for digitization projects in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) information providing agencies. Multiple case study research method was adopted in research design. The target population for this study included the staff members involved in preparing for the digitization projects at the Msunduzi Municipal Library, the Don Africana Central Reference Library, the University of Zululand (UniZulu) Library and the Durban Local History Museums. This study was grounded by the framework termed the Collections Digitization Framework (CDF). The data was collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews from all staff members involved in preparing for the digitization projects in KZN information providing agencies. The researcher analyzed the collected data in this study using the qualitative content analysis based on Tesch‟s approach. The themes of the study included the preparedness for a digitization project, types of collections institutions prepare to digitize, digitization policies and guidelines and digitization process. The data obtained may contribute to social change by benefiting the institutions and organizations planning for their digitization projects. The findings of this study revealed that most participants from the KZN information providing agencies are prepared by being trained by the digitization machines suppliers in how to operate the supplied digitization machines. This study found that the KZN information providing agencies are preparing to digitize photographs, legal deposit serials and theses and dissertations. This study found that only one KZN information providing agency has a digitization policy and guidelines available and most do not have digitization a policy and guidelines. It was ascertained that most KZN information providing agencies have digitization processes available while one does not have a digitization process. This study recommends that institutions and organizations preparing for digitization projects should have adequate resources required for a digitization project. Further, this study recommends the availability of a digitization policy and guidelines and digitization processes.