About UWM Libraries Digital Collections
Mission Statement
The UWM Libraries established a digitization program in the fall of 2001. The primary mission of the program is to serve the UWM academic community and the general public by providing remote access to unique library resources. The UWM Libraries use digital technologies to expand access and enhance discovery of these resources through development and management of distinctive digital collections.
Collection Development Process
New projects for digitizing unique library resources are proposed by the library staff using an intranet online form. Cooperation with UWM faculty is strongly encouraged and projects supporting teaching and research mission of the campus are given a priority. New proposals are reviewed by the UWM Libraries Digitization Oversight Committee.
Materials for approved projects are carefully selected by collection curators and subject specialists in the libraries and departments housing the source collections. UWM Libraries Digitization Unit is responsible for digitizing the selected materials according to established digitization standards and best practices. The digitized resources are researched and described to provide additional access points and to facilitate their discovery and use. CONTENTdm digital media management software is used to build online collections. Digital master files are stored at UWM Libraries digital repository to ensure their accessibility in the future. High resolution digital images can be ordered using the online Order Images form.
Current Projects
Sixteen distinct digital collections have been created since the inception of the program. They provide remote access to visual resources on global issues as well as treasures of local cultural heritage. Currently, UWM Libraries Digital Collections contain over 41,000 digital objects including photographic images, maps, and books drawn from the holdings of the American Geographical Society Library, the Archives, Special Collections, and the Curriculum Library. The collections are available to the public at http://www.uwm.edu/Library/digilib/. There are no restrictions on access, except for the Peck School of the Arts Slide Collection that is limited to UWM students, faculty, and staff.
Digitization Oversight Committee
Ewa Barczyk, UWM Libraries Director
Chris Baruth, AGSL Curator
Michael Doylen, Archives, Head
Jim Lowrey, Systems and Digital Initiatives, Head
Molly Mathias, Instruction Librarian, RIS
Krystyna Matusiak, Digital Collections Librarian, Systems/Digitization Unit
Susan Peschel, Visual Resources Librarian, AGSL
Joe Tomich, Metadata Librarian, Monographs
Max Yela, Special Collections, Head
Digitization Unit
Krystyna K. Matusiak, Digital Collections Librarian
Dang-Giao T Nguyen, Digitization Intern
UWM Libraries
July 2009
