Discussion Track Descriptions
There are six tracks covered in the Exchange Sessions. Session times for each specific topic are available on the Schedule.
Below, each track is described more fully with listings of discussion points. These discussion points are only examples. Discussion leaders and participants are welcome to discuss more points than those listed here. Topic presentations and discussions may include successes, failures, and lessons learned.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or need further clarification regarding these tracks, please contact us.
Track 1: Metadata & Discovery
This track will address all aspects related to metadata and resource discovery. Presenters will share ideas, experiences and real-world examples related to the role of metadata in locating, identifying, gathering, accessing, acquiring, preserving and migrating digital resources. Discussions may include the examination of the benefits, challenges, and key success factors of creation, evaluation, selection or implementation of metadata tools, schema and standards; issues surrounding “efficient” vs. “quality” metadata assignment; automated and manual metadata extraction, aggregation and interoperability; controlled vocabularies, faceted classification or other current metadata issues or projects.
Track 2: Access
This track will address all aspects related to providing access to digital collections. This will include experiences, ideas, current programs, and practices for providing access to both digitized and born digital resources. Discussions may cover digital formats and standards, scanning / digitization initiatives, digital asset migration for continued access, repository software, access restrictions, copyright, privacy, cultural sensitivity and other digital rights management issues and federated searching for access.
Track 3: Preservation
This track will cover all aspects related to preservation of electronic information, both digitized and born digital. Topics may include collecting digital assets in specific formats (e.g. email, websites, born-digital publications and databases); the collection and digitization of non-textual resources (such as film, audio, video and GIS); tools for collecting assets; legislative and executive mandates related to digital preservation; strategies and methods of digitization for preservation; long-term file management software; long-term storage media; creation, evaluation and use of a trusted digital repository; authentication of digital files; data migration and system emulation; and disaster planning and recovery.
Track 4: Technology
This track will cover technological methods, tools and solutions for the collection, storage and delivery of digital assets. Discussions may cover set up, use, testing and maintenance of open-source and commercial software programs; customization of repository software; pilot repository projects; the use of programming technologies such as PHP and XML; implementation of LOCKSS; relational and non-relational database management and design; search engines and federated search tools; testing and maintenance tools and methods; backup and preservation tools; system and file security; spidering and indexing programs; storage media; experiences with product evaluation; experiences with IT department collaboration; and future hardware and software trends. Real world examples, product demonstrations and code exchanges are welcomed. Tech newbies and tech savvy are encouraged to participate and attend.
Track 5: Project Management & Outreach
This track will cover all aspects related to project management and outreach. Discussions may include the creation, evaluation or adoption of digital resource management and access tools; considerations for creating a digital preservation or digitization program; defining new workflows and incorporating digital asset management into existing workflows; challenges and benefits of merging digital and print resource workflows; defining staff training and skills needed; determining how a digital project fits within the organizational mission and goals; tips and strategies to planning successful project implementation/roll out; creation and implementation of policies and benchmarks; promotion of compliance from digital asset creators including state agencies; management of project activities in regard to time, money, materials, staffing, expertise, space, technology and quality assurance; relationship building with content creators, libraries, archives or government records; best practices and lessons learned from managing your digital project; marketing and promotion of your digital services and grant funding tips, tools and experiences.
Track 6: Emerging Issues
This track will include issues not encompassed by the other tracks. With rapidly emerging opportunities in information and communication technologies, this track may include presentations on the newest of issues facing our field. This could include presentations on the creation, implementation, use, integration and maintenance of social software (Blogs, Wikis, Podcasting), implications of Web 2.0, implications of online 3D communities (ActiveWorlds, Second Life), social networking sites (MySpace, Friendster) or other emerging issues facing our field.