Digitization & Metadata Services
Digitization
In partnership with Digital Commonwealth, the Boston Public Library (BPL) provides digitization services to Massachusetts cultural heritage institutions as part of its Library for the Commonwealth program. These services can include collection assessments, project planning, digital imaging, and hosting digitized content.The BPL provides two digitization options:
- Bound materials will likely be digitized at the Internet Archive scan center located at the BPL and metadata is required before the time of digitization. For more information, visit BPL & Digital Commonwealth Statewide Digitization: Digitization Options
- Non-bound materials will be digitized in the BPL Digital Imaging Lab and only a unique alpha/numeric identifier is required for each item before digitization. Metadata is not required until after digitization has been completed. For more information, visit BPL & Digital Commonwealth Statewide Digitization: Before You Apply
To request to have your collections hosted by Digital Commonwealth, please submit the Boston Public Library/Digital Commonwealth Digitization Request Form and Service Agreement.
For information about what types of content may be contributed, see the Collection Development Policy.
Metadata
Digital Commonwealth may also be able to help plan and execute a metadata strategy for both ingested and harvested collections from member institutions. If your materials are not in a repository-ready format, or if your institution has not yet created records for your items, Digital Commonwealth can offer options for metadata editing, crosswalking, and/or creation. Note that Digital Commonwealth cannot help with creation of metadata records held in harvested collections, though it can offer guidance and advice.If you are unfamiliar with Digital Commonwealth's process, please visit BPL & Digital Commonwealth Statewide Digitization: About the Program.
Also review the web page on Metadata Requirements and Guidelines.
