Myth #3: It’s too Hard to Digitize Museum Collections

Last week we reviewed Myth #2 of the museum myth series: It’s Easy to Digitize Museum Collections. This week we continue with exploring the opposite myth, that it’s too hard to digitize museum collections. 

Hard in this context can mean that it’s too expensive, slow, or hard from a technical perspective to digitize museum items. As we learned last week, these descriptors for digitization aren’t 100% accurate and their definitions are subjective. This post will focus on each part of the “too hard” element and provide context (and ideas!) for each. 

Myth #3: It’s too hard to digitize museum collections.

Digitization is Expensive

Yes. There are costs to consider when it comes to digitization of the museum collection. If there isn’t already digitization equipment, a Collections Management System (CMS), and staff in place; there’s will be a significant amount of investment required to even be “digitization ready”. But, the “too expensive” belief isn’t enough to halt all possibility of digitization. There are very affordable options for the main types of digitization equipment we use. You can get pretty far with your smartphone, a USB-powered scanner, and an overhead scanner (think CZUR or Fujitsu ScanSnap). We don’t need to approach this as an “all or nothing” endeavor. Instead, I recommend a “sustainable growth” approach.

Tip: Your smartphone is capable of taking images that meet and exceed current resolution (image quality) standards. The trick is to become familiar and practiced with the tools that come with it. For example, many smartphones now come with a “scan mode”. Scan mode helps the camera apply a flattening and angle correction layer to the image you take—immediately correcting any operator-error. You can also apply similar edit tricks after you’ve taken an image but need to correct it. The smartphone is an adaptable fill-in for ad-hoc imaging and small amounts of digitization work.  

CMS and Storage, Too: There are some budget-friendly options out there for CMS and digital file storage services. Some vendors offer free accounts under a “freemium” model, and even larger vendors are beginning to offer “essential” options to help support museums of all sizes. While you can certainly get started with these options, it is important for you and the museum management to keep in mind that as your digitization work grows, so will your need for a robust CMS and digital storage.

Digitization is Slow

Digitization takes time, and depending on your frame of reference, it can be slow. The cheaper or older the equipment, the slower the computer, or the quality level of imaging you’re aiming for—each of these factors will increase the time it takes per image taken. 

Tip: Assuming you’re working with the best equipment available to you, the next trick is to automate what you can and make the most efficient use of your time. For example, while you wait for the scanner to complete its scan or the camera to transfer its images over; you can begin some basic data creation.

Digitization is Technically Hard

If you’re newer to digitization this is a true statement. But there are so many free and readily available resources you can access to help you along the way. Each piece of equipment and software comes with instructions and even instruction videos. You also have access to consumer-made videos and how-tos on YouTube. For digitization processes and best practices there are resources available within the industry. A great place to start is with your local professional organization, and right here at Lucidea via past blog posts and the webinar suite.

Conclusion

Both myths—it’s easy or it’s hard to digitize museum collections—have their dangers. If you go into launching a digitization program with no plans for how to address these known challenges, it’s going to be very difficult. On the other hand, many people can be frozen into inaction because starting a digitization project can appear too hard. The best approach is one where you learn and identify what tools you need, you research the costs involved, and you make intentional decisions that sustainably grow your digitization effort.

Additional Reading

Considering Museum Digitization Tools by Item Type

How to Choose the Right Tools for Museum Digital Projects

How to Construct a Museum Digitization Equation

Include these Museum Digitization Standards in Your Next Project 

Part 1: Create a Museum Digital Project Workflow that Works

Part 1: How Much Will Museum Digital Projects Cost Me?