Collections

A digital collection consists of digital items that are selected and organized to facilitate their access and use.

Good digital collections include metadata used to describe and manage them. Metadata may be provided for the collection as a whole, for individual items within the collection, or both.

In addition to items and metadata, a digital collection will include at least one interface that gives access to it. Demetrius provides a default interface to collections, in that it includes ways of searching and browsing collections, and methods for retrieving, rendering, and using items. It is possible for ANU communities to have custom designed interfaces to their collections, however, this would normally involve the help of Demetrius staff to implement the interface.

Principles that apply to good digital collections are:

1. A good digital collection is created according to an explicit collection development policy that has been agreed upon and documented before the creation of digital items begins. More information.
2. Collections should be described so that a user can discover characteristics of the collection, including scope, format, restrictions on access, ownership, and any information significant for determining the collection's authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. More information
3. A collection should be sustainable over time. In particular, digital collections built with special internal or external funding should have a plan for their continued usability beyond the funded period. More information
4. A good collection is broadly available and avoids unnecessary impediments to use. Collections should be accessible to persons with disabilities, and usable effectively in conjunction with adaptive technologies. More information
5. A good collection respects intellectual property rights. Collection managers should maintain a consistent record of rightsholders and permissions granted for all applicable materials. More information
6. A good collection has mechanisms to supply usage data and other data that allows standardized measures of usefulness to be recorded. More information
7. A good collection fits into the larger context of significant related national and international digital library initiatives. More information

Source: adapted from 'A Framework of Guidance for Building Good Digital Collections', published by the National Information Standards Office, 2nd edition, 2004.