Special Collections: Digital Collections Project Proposals

What makes a good digital project? Consider the following criteria and guidelines for selecting project materials. Projects that are most likely to be approved meet the following criteria:

1. Supports instruction or research needs at FSU
2. Does not circulate, e.g. rare books, materials from Special Collections & Archives
3. Enhances an existing digital collection in the FSU Digital Repository or a digital collection priority from the Sunshine State Digital Network.
4. Is unique, e.g. not previously digitized nor available online in any format
5. High use materials, regularly requested by FSU faculty or students
6. Is distinctive and has potential for academic use and general education interest (K-12)

Although some of our projects are grant-funded, it is not necessary to secure outside funding to complete a project with the DLC. There is general funding provided by FSU Libraries for digital projects.

Please note that the DLC focuses on digital production for the FSU Digital Repository. Given our focus and available resources, we are unable to take on digital collections projects for individual and personal projects that are not intended to be widely shared online following completion.

Process:

1. Submit your project proposal using our simple Web form (link to form page outlined below).
2. The project manager at the DLC will contact you to follow up and, if the DLC seems like a good fit for your project, will need your help to create a project charter that details project deliverables. Information needed for this is:
   • Brief description of the project which includes scope, types of materials to be included, source of the material, extent of materials, and relevant audience.
   • Name of some faculty members or departments at FSU or an external community organization who would support the digitization of this collection.
   • Copyright information of the content.
   • Timeline requirements, if any.
3. The DLC project manager and Digital Archivist will review the proposal and may ask for additional information.
4. The DLC will respond to the proposal.
   • It will accept the proposal.
   • Or, it will decline the proposal and may suggest other alternatives for moving the project forward.
5. If approved, the DLC project manager will work with you to finalize a project charter that fully describes the project and its deliverables.
6. When completed, the DLC project manager will send you a copy of the project charter to sign.
7. When the signed project charter is returned, you will start work with the DLC on the project.

Questions? Please feel free to contact the DLC.