Digital Strategies and Working Group Members

• Jessica Adamick, Science Librarian for the Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing

• Abigail Baines, E-Reserves Assistant

• Meghan Banach, Bibliographic Access and Metadata Coordinator

• Marilyn Billings, Scholarly Communication and Special Initatives Librarian

• Leslie Button, Associate Director for Library Services

• MJ Canavan, Head, Systems and Web Management

• Rob Cox, Head, Special Collections and University Archives

• Steven Folsom, Metadata Librarian, Image Collection Library

• Danielle Kovacs, Curator of Collections

• Steve McGinty, Social Science Bibliographer

• Rebecca Reznik-Zellen, Digital Strategies Coordinator

• Jay Schafer, Director of Libraries

• Maxine Schmidt, Head, Science and Engineering Library

• Brian Shelburne, Head, Image Collection Library

• Matt Sheridan, Digital Repository Resident

• Jeremy Smith, Digital Project Manager

• Christine Turner, Electronic Resources Librarian

Digital Initiatives

Digital initiatives at UMass Amherst Libraries are coordinated under the direction of the Digital Strategies Group and facilitated by the activities of three working groups: the Metadata Working Group; the Digital Creation and Preservation Working Group; and the Data Working Group. This infrastructure enables the library to build the technical and cultural environment for digital content to thrive in the library and on campus.

Browse UMass Amherst Digital Collections

Digital Strategies Group

Digital Strategies Group provides direction and strategic planning for the libraries’ development of digital activities that focus on digital content that is created or collected by the libraries, and services that grow from these digital collections. The group oversees coordination of digital activities, including creation and management of metadata and digital content, and establishes priorities and provides guidance for digital projects. 

Digital Strategies Charge (PDF)
Facilitator: Rebecca Reznik-Zellen, rreznikz@library.umass.edu

Digital Strategies Group welcomes proposals for projects involving the production, stewardship, and/or preservation of digital content. If you are interested in submitting or discussing a potential project, please contact us.

Working Groups

Metadata Working Group

Formed in June 2009, the Metadata Working Group (MWG) consists of library staff with expertise in metadata, cataloging, archives and special collections, and scholarly communication. The MWG provides direction for and coordination of metadata creation and management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries. MWG supports the use of Metadata Standards and Best Practices.

Metadata Working Group Charge (PDF)
Chair: Steven Folsom, sfolsom@library.umass.edu

Digital Creation and Preservation Working Group

The Digital Creation and Preservation Working Group (DCPWG) was formed in June 2009 to plan and oversee implementation of the Libraries’ digital preservation program, particularly in relation to the Libraries’ unique resources.  Made up of library staff with expertise in digital project management, archives and special collections, IT, and metadata, it is the group’s responsibility to maintain awareness of and adherence to national and international standards and best practices for digital content creation and preservation and to raise awareness of digital preservation issues.

Digital Creation and Preservation Working Group Charge (PDF)
Chair: Meghan Banach, mbanach@library.umass.edu

 Data Working Group

Formed in March 2010, the Data Working Group (DWG) is charged with articulating the Libraries’ role in the management and curation of research data campus-wide.  Consisting of library staff with expertise in scholarly communication, web database development, science and social science librarianship, library systems, special collections and university archives, and project management, the DWG is crafting and implementing both short and long term goals for the stewardship of data that supports and augments the current research environment on campus.

Data Working Group Charge (PDF)
Chair: Rebecca Reznik-Zellen, rreznikz@library.umass.edu

Publications

Guidelines and Policies

Digital Strategies Group anticipates that all Library digital collection mangers will adhere to established guidelines and policies.

1. Metadata Guidelines (PDF)
2. Guidelines for Digitization (PDF)
3. Digital Preservation Policy (PDF)

Reports

1. Digital Creation and Preservation Working Group Activity Summary 2009 - 2010 (PDF)
2. Digital Creation and Preservation Working Group Activity Summary 2010 - 2011 (PDF)
3. Metadata Working Group Activity Summary 2009 - 2010 (PDF)
4. Metadata Working Group Activity Summary 2010 - 2011 (PDF)
5. Metadata Working Group Survey Report -- Executive Summary (PDF)
6. Data Working Group November 2010 Report (PDF)
7. Data Working Group Activity Report 2010 - 2011 (PDF)

Other Materials

1. Data Management Plan Template (PDF)
2. Digital Preservation System Checklist (DOCX)

Last Edited: 17 April 2012