Digitization Kits

Technology kits: Building a Digital Community

Preservation through digital archive creation, and the ability to access archival materials plays a major role in how we understand the past. However, the selection of what is protected, maintained, and accessible is not always equitable, particularly when preservation and access in a digital environment requires technical infrastructure and expertise that may seem mysterious, and equipment that is not accessible financially, or through proximity to a large institution with greater resources.

In order to ensure that small and rural communities have the opportunity to share and preserve their stories and local history, the Colorado State Library (CSL) is excited to offer digital creation kits to libraries and cultural heritage organizations that wish to participate in the Plains to Peaks Collective (PPC), and by extension the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), but don’t have the funds to purchase digitization equipment, and/or don’t have a long-term need for it. Kit contents are designed to make archive creation more accessible, and give our communities the resources they need to begin sharing their stories digitally.

Beyond preservation and access, making your digital collections available online is beneficial to your organization and community because it can:

  • Increase traffic to your collections and therefore your institution
  • Build a community around individual collections
  • Establish a platform for underrepresented groups
  • Place your institution on the same playing field as others

Digital Creation Kit (AKA Frontier 1 & 2)

AboutAudienceContentsDownloadablesFurther ReadingTemplatesBorrow the KitHelp & Support

The Digital Creation Kit contains equipment to facilitate both oral history interviews and archival preservation and digitization of ephemera (including but not limited to photographs, letters, and diaries), peripheral devices for file storage and manipulation, how-to guides, templates, and best practices for metadata creation, and file storage.

This kit is designed to be used by staff who are new to digitization at libraries and cultural heritage organizations and wish to participate in the Plains to Peaks Collective (PPC) (and by extension the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)), have identified collection content that can be digitized and that is historically significant to their community.

  • 1 1” white resource kit binder containing:
    • 1 gold key-shaped USB flash drive containing printable documents
    • In binder pouch:
      • 1 CD containing Espon Perfection v370 Scanner Driver and Utility software
      • 1 Tascam D-40 User Manual
      • 1 book (Oral history in your library: Create shelf space for community voice by Cyns Nelson, with contributions by Adam Speirs, and a forward by R. David Lankes)
  • 1 Clipboard
  • 1 Digital Recorder Tripod
  • 1 Photo/Document Scanner (Epson Perfection v370)
    • 1 DC Power Cord
    • 1 USB Cord
    • 1 Scanner Insert for Slide and Film
  • 1 Portable Digital Recorder (Tascam D-40, with case)
    • 1 USB Cord (in case)
    • 3 AA batteries (extra – in case)
  • 1 External CD/DVD Drive (with case)
    • 1 USB Cord (in case)
  • 1 1TB External Hard Drive (with case)
    • 1 USB Cord
  • 1 Laptop Computer (Asus VivoBook)
    • 1 DC Power Cord
  • Laminated Reference Guides
      • Unpacking & Repacking the Kit
      • Recommended Standards for Digital Capture
      • Quick Start: Scanner Save Settings & Configuration
      • Quick Start: Scanning with the Epson Perfection v370 Scanner
      • Quick Start: Recording with the Tascam D-40 Audio Recorder
Downloadable Binder ContentsDocumentation, resources, and more!
Recommended Standards for Digital Capture
Tascam D-40 User Manual
Further Reading on the Digitization Process

Further Reading on Selecting Collections

Quick References to Determine Copyright Status

Further Reading on Copyright

Basic Equipment and Software Recommendations

Further Reading on Digital Capture & Oral History

Documentation

  • Examples of Deed of Gift, Oral History Release Form, Project Participant Form (something that can capture basic biographical info about a person), etc.

Further Reading on Cataloging and Metadata

 

Metadata Worksheet ImageMetadata Worksheets: Includes worksheets for Required and Recommended Fields, Omeka CSV Import, and Generic CSV Import.

 

Oral History Consent Form

Template – Oral History Consent and Release Form

 

 

 

Oral History Info Form

Template – Oral History Information Form

 

 

 

Feedback Form

Digitization Resource Kit Feedback Form

 

 

 

How to borrow a kit
To borrow a kit, you will need to be enrolled in the CSL Resource Kit Borrowing Program. Your “Kit account” is the same as your CSL Book Club account if you participate in that program. If you already have a CSL Book Club user number and password, skip to step 4 below.

  1. Go to https://cslkits.cvlsites.org/enroll/
  2. Complete and submit the enrollment form.
  3. You will receive an email with a user number and password for your library within a short time.
  4. Go to our online resource catalog at https://csl.catalog.aspencat.info/
  5. Login into your CSL account using the “Login” button at the top right of the screen.
  6. Use the Search bar, or browse for “Resource Kit”, to find the Kit you want to borrow.
  7. Place a Hold on the desired kit.
  8. The loan period is 2 months. If the kit is available, it will be sent to you the next business day via the Courier. If it is checked out to another library, your hold will remain in place until the item is available or you cancel the hold.
  9. Please remember to submit feedback either on the paper form included on the clipboard in the kit or online here.

The kits are not available for loan to out-of-state cultural heritage institutions at this time. Kits cannot be reserved for a specific date in the future.

Contact  Kit Support (303-866-6900) with questions.

Returning the kit
As you prepare to return the kit, please verify that it is complete using the Kit contents checklist on the back of the binder. Be sure to include your completed Feedback Form, or fill out the online feedback form so that we can improve the experience for everyone.

General Kit Support

For questions about borrowing, delivery, or return of the kit, contact Kit Support at KitSupport@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

Digital Creation Support

For questions or assistance with the use of hardware, software, or documentation found within the Digital Creation Kit, contact:

Amy Hitchner
Metadata and Integration Services Consultant
ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org

Storytelling Kit (AKA Bard Box 1 & 2)

AboutAudienceContentsDownloadablesFurther ReadingTemplatesBorrow the KitHelp & Support
The Storytelling Kit contains equipment to facilitate the creation of oral history interviews, as audio or video recordings.  Also included are how-to guides, templates, and best practices for oral history creation.

This kit is designed to be used by staff who are new to digitization at libraries and cultural heritage organizations and wish to preserve the local stories of the members of their communities and participate in the Plains to Peaks Collective (PPC) (and by extension the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)) through the creation of oral history interviews.  It is expected that the oral history interviews created with this equipment will also be made available for sharing through the Stories of Colorado Collection .

    • 1 1” black resource kit binder containing: 
      • 1 gold key-shaped USB flash drive containing printable documents 
      • In binder pouch:
        • 1 book (Oral history in your library: Create shelf space for community voice by Cyns Nelson, with contributions by Adam Speirs, and a forward by R. David Lankes)
        • 1 set of laminated Question Cards, one set unlaminated in plastic bag.
    • 1 Clipboard
    • 1 iPad (6th Generation – in protective case)
      • 1 USB/Lightning Cable (in clear zipped bag)
      • 1 DC Power Adapter (in clear zipped bag)
      • Gray microfiber cloth (in clear zipped bag)
    • 1 Tablet Stand (in box)
      • M3 Allen Wrench (in plastic bag)
      • M4 Allen Wrench (in plastic bag)
    • 1 Magic Keyboard (in box)
      • 1 USB/Lightning Cable (under keyboard)
    • 1 Lavalier Microphone (in box) – either a version with lightning adapter or a version without lightning adapter
    • Kit contents (on the back cover of binder)
    • Feedback Form (on clipboard) 
Downloadable Binder ContentsDocumentation, resources, and more!
Recommended Standards for Digital Capture

Further Reading on the Oral Histories

Further Reading on Kit Equipment

Further Reading on Copyright

Further Reading on Digital Capture & File Storage

Additional Software Recommendations

Documentation

  • Examples of Oral History Release Form, Project Participant Form (something that can capture basic biographical info about a person), etc.

Further Reading on Cataloging and Metadata

 

Metadata Worksheet ImageMetadata Worksheets: Includes worksheets for Required and Recommended Fields, Omeka CSV Import, and Generic CSV Import.

 

Oral History Consent Form

Template – Oral History Consent and Release Form

 

 

 

Oral History Info Form

Template – Oral History Information Form

 

 

 

Feedback Form

Digitization Resource Kit Feedback Form

 

 

 

How to borrow a kit
To borrow a kit, you will need to be enrolled in the CSL Resource Kit Borrowing Program. Your “Kit account” is the same as your CSL Book Club account if you participate in that program. If you already have a CSL Book Club user number and password, skip to step 4 below.

  1. Go to https://cslkits.cvlsites.org/enroll/
  2. Complete and submit the enrollment form.
  3. You will receive an email with a user number and password for your library within a short time.
  4. Go to our online resource catalog at https://csl.catalog.aspencat.info/
  5. Login into your CSL account using the “Login” button at the top right of the screen.
  6. Use the Search bar, or browse for “Resource Kit”, to find the Kit you want to borrow.
  7. Place a Hold on the desired kit.
  8. The loan period is 2 months. If the kit is available, it will be sent to you the next business day via the Courier. If it is checked out to another library, your hold will remain in place until the item is available or you cancel the hold.
  9. Please remember to submit feedback either on the paper form included on the clipboard in the kit or online here.

The kits are not available for loan to out-of-state cultural heritage institutions at this time. Kits cannot be reserved for a specific date in the future.

Contact  Kit Support (303-866-6900) with questions.

Returning the kit
As you prepare to return the kit, please verify that it is complete using the Kit contents checklist on the back of the binder. Be sure to include your completed Feedback Form, or fill out the online feedback form so that we can improve the experience for everyone.

General Kit Support

For questions about borrowing, delivery, or return of the kit, contact Kit Support at KitSupport@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

Oral History Creation Support

For questions or assistance with the use of hardware, software, or documentation found within the Storytelling Kit, contact:

Marisa Wood
Statewide Collaborative Programming Coordinator
mwood@coloradovirtuallibrary.org
303-351-2338

Video Conversion Kit (AKA Alchemy V)

AboutAudienceContentsDownloadablesFurther ReadingTemplatesBorrow the KitHelp & Support
The equipment contained in the Video Conversion Kit allows for the creation of access copies of VHS and DVD video content, suitable for display on the web for greater visibility, and to minimize the need to handle and play from the original analog format, thus prolonging its life. 

The kit is designed to be used by staff at libraries and cultural heritage organizations that wish to digitize video content stored on VHS tapes and DVDs in order to extend online access to video content held in their collections, and contribute to the Plains to Peaks Collective (PPC) (and by extension the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)) through the creation of oral history interviews.  It is expected that the oral history interviews created with this equipment will also be made available for sharing through the Stories of Colorado Collection .

  • 1 1” white resource kit binder containing: 
    • 1 gold key-shaped USB flash drive containing printable documents
    • 1 binder pouch containing spare AA battery 
  • 1 Clipboard
  • 1 DVD/VHS Player
  • 1 VHS-C Adapter
    • AA battery included
  • Elgato Digital Capture Device
    • RCA Composite Cord
  • 1 1TB External Hard Drive (with case)
    • 1 USB Cord
  • 1 Laptop Computer  
    • 1 DC Power Cord
  • Laminated Reference Guide
      • Unpacking & Repacking the Kit
Downloadable Binder ContentsDocumentation, resources, and more!

Further Reading on Digital Capture & Digital Video Preservation

Vendor Recommendations for Digital Video Capture & Preservation

Further Reading on Copyright

Documentation

  • Examples of Oral History Release Form, Project Participant Form (something that can capture basic biographical info about a person), etc.

Further Reading on Cataloging and Metadata

Metadata WorksheetMetadata Worksheets: Includes worksheets for Required and Recommended Fields, Omeka CSV Import, and Generic CSV Import.

 

Video Conversion Kit Feedback Form

 

 

 

How to Borrow a Kit

To borrow a kit, you need to be enrolled in the CSL Kits Borrowing Program. Your “Kit account” is the same as your CSL Book Club account if you participate in that program. If you already have a CSL Book Club user number and password, skip to step 4 below.

  1. Fill out and submit the enrollment form.
  2. You will receive an email with a user number and password for your library within a short time.
  3. Go to our online resource catalog at https://csl.catalog.aspencat.info/
  4. Login into your CSL account using the “Login” button at the top right of the screen.
  5. Use the Search bar, or browse for “Resource Kit” to find the Kit you want to borrow.
  6. Place a Hold on the desired kit.
  • The checkout period is for two months.
  • If the kit is available, it will be sent to you via the CLiC courier as soon as we are able.
  • If it is checked out to another library, your hold will remain in place until the item is available or you cancel the hold.
  • Kits are not available for loan to out-of-state libraries.
  • Kits cannot be reserved for a specific date in the future.
  • Note that kits are transported via the CLiC courier. It is possible to accommodate lending if your institution is not on the courier system but are able to pick the kit up from CSL.

Contact Kit Support at KitSupport@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

General Kit Support

For questions about borrowing, delivery, or return of the kit, contact Kit Support at KitSupport@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

Video Conversion Support

For questions or assistance with the use of hardware, software, or documentation found within the Video Conversion Kit, contact:

Amy Hitchner
Metadata and Integration Services Consultant
ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org

Audio Conversion Kit (AKA Alchemy A)

AboutAudienceContentsDownloadablesFurther ReadingTemplatesBorrow the KitHelp & Support
The equipment contained in this kit allows for the creation of preservation and access copies of cassette tape and CD audio content for greater visibility, and to minimize the need to handle and play from the original analog format, thus prolonging its life. 

The kit is designed to be used by staff at libraries and cultural heritage organizations that wish to digitize audio content stored on cassette tapes and CDs in order to extend online access to audio content held in their collections, and contribute to the Plains to Peaks Collective (PPC) (and by extension the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)).

  • 1 1” white resource kit binder containing: 
    • 1 gold key-shaped USB flash drive containing printable documents
    • 1 binder pouch containing EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter software CD
    • Tape 2 PC Quick Start Guide 
  • 1 Clipboard
  • 1 Clear Plastic Pouch containing:
    • 1 USB Cord, labelled for use with Tape 2 PC Converter
    • 1 USB Cord, labelled for use with External CD/DVD Drive
    • 1 RCA Cable, for optional use with external speakers
  • 1 Tape 2 PC Converter
  • 1 External CD/DVD Drive
  • 1 1TB External Hard Drive (with case)
    • 1 USB Cord
  • 1 Laptop Computer  
    • 1 DC Power Cord
  • Laminated Reference Guide
      • Unpacking & Repacking the Kit
Downloadable Binder ContentsDocumentation, resources, and more!

Further Reading on Digital Capture & Digital Audio Preservation

Vendor Recommendations for Digital Audio Capture & Preservation

Documentation

  • Examples of Oral History Release Form, Project Participant Form (something that can capture basic biographical info about a person), etc.

Further Reading on Cataloging and Metadata

Metadata WorksheetMetadata Worksheets: Includes worksheets for Required and Recommended Fields, Omeka CSV Import, and Generic CSV Import.

 

Audio Conversion Kit Feedback Form

 

 

 

How to borrow a kit
To borrow a kit, you will need to be enrolled in the CSL Resource Kit Borrowing Program. Your “Kit account” is the same as your CSL Book Club account if you participate in that program. If you already have a CSL Book Club user number and password, skip to step 4 below.

  1. Go to https://cslkits.cvlsites.org/enroll/
  2. Complete and submit the enrollment form.
  3. You will receive an email with a user number and password for your library within a short time.
  4. Go to our online resource catalog at https://csl.catalog.aspencat.info/
  5. Login into your CSL account using the “Login” button at the top right of the screen.
  6. Use the Search bar, or browse for “Resource Kit”, to find the Kit you want to borrow.
  7. Place a Hold on the desired kit.
  8. The loan period is 2 months. If the kit is available, it will be sent to you the next business day via the Courier. If it is checked out to another library, your hold will remain in place until the item is available or you cancel the hold.
  9. Please remember to submit feedback either on the paper form included on the clipboard in the kit or online here.

The kits are not available for loan to out-of-state cultural heritage institutions at this time. Kits cannot be reserved for a specific date in the future.

Contact  Kit Support (303-866-6900) with questions.

Returning the kit
As you prepare to return the kit, please verify that it is complete using the Kit contents checklist on the back of the binder. Be sure to include your completed Feedback Form, or fill out the online feedback form so that we can improve the experience for everyone.

General Kit Support

For questions about borrowing, delivery, or return of the kit, contact Kit Support at KitSupport@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

Audio Conversion Support

For questions or assistance with the use of hardware, software, or documentation found within the Audio Conversion Kit, contact:

Amy Hitchner
Metadata and Integration Services Consultant
ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org

Storage Media Conversion Kit (AKA Alchemy S)

AboutAudienceContentsDownloadablesFurther ReadingTemplatesBorrow the KitHelp & Support
The equipment contained in this kit allows for the creation of copies of content found on older storage mediums – 3” floppy, zip, and writable compact disks, suitable for display on the web for greater visibility.

 

The kit is designed to be used by staff at libraries and cultural heritage organizations that wish to transfer content from 3” floppy, zip, and writable compact disks in order to extend online access to materials held in their collections, and contribute to the Plains to Peaks Collective (PPC) (and by extension the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)).

  • 1 1” white resource kit binder containing: 
    • 1 gold key-shaped USB flash drive containing printable documents
  • 1 Clipboard
  • 1 Plastic Pouch containing:
    • 1 USB Cord, labelled for use with Zip Drive
    • 1 DC Power Cord, labelled for use with Laptop
  • 1 Laptop Computer  
  • 1 External Zip Drive
  • 1 External 3.5” Floppy Disk Drive
  • 1 External CD/DVD Drive (with case)
    • 1 USB Cord
  • 1 1TB External Hard Drive (with case)
    • 1 USB Cord
  • Laminated Reference Guide
    • Unpacking & Repacking the Kit
Downloadable Binder ContentsDocumentation, resources, and more!

Further Reading on the Digitization Process

Further Reading on Selecting Collections

Quick References to Determine Copyright Status

Further Reading on Copyright

Basic Equipment and Software Recommendations

Further Reading on Digital Capture & Oral History

Documentation

  • Examples of Deed of Gift, Oral History Release Form, Project Participant Form (something that can capture basic biographical info about a person), etc.

Further Reading on Cataloging and Metadata

Metadata WorksheetMetadata Worksheets: Includes worksheets for Required and Recommended Fields, Omeka CSV Import, and Generic CSV Import.

 

Storage Media Conversion Kit Feedback Form

 

 

How to borrow a kit
To borrow a kit, you will need to be enrolled in the CSL Resource Kit Borrowing Program. Your “Kit account” is the same as your CSL Book Club account if you participate in that program. If you already have a CSL Book Club user number and password, skip to step 4 below.

  1. Go to https://cslkits.cvlsites.org/enroll/
  2. Complete and submit the enrollment form.
  3. You will receive an email with a user number and password for your library within a short time.
  4. Go to our online resource catalog at https://csl.catalog.aspencat.info/
  5. Login into your CSL account using the “Login” button at the top right of the screen.
  6. Use the Search bar, or browse for “Resource Kit”, to find the Kit you want to borrow.
  7. Place a Hold on the desired kit.
  8. The loan period is 2 months. If the kit is available, it will be sent to you the next business day via the Courier. If it is checked out to another library, your hold will remain in place until the item is available or you cancel the hold.
  9. Please remember to submit feedback either on the paper form included on the clipboard in the kit or online here.

The kits are not available for loan to out-of-state cultural heritage institutions at this time. Kits cannot be reserved for a specific date in the future.

Contact  Kit Support (303-866-6900) with questions.

Returning the kit
As you prepare to return the kit, please verify that it is complete using the Kit contents checklist on the back of the binder. Be sure to include your completed Feedback Form, or fill out the online feedback form so that we can improve the experience for everyone.

General Kit Support

For questions about borrowing, delivery, or return of the kit, contact Kit Support at KitSupport@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

Storage Media Conversion Support

For questions or assistance with the use of hardware, software, or documentation found within the Storage Media Conversion Kit, contact:

Amy Hitchner
Metadata and Integration Services Consultant
ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org

Additional Resources

Stories of ColoradoPlains to Peaks CollectiveCVL Collections

Stories of Colorado is a collection of Colorado related content, from individuals or institutions that do not have an online presence themselves, but have interesting and relevant pieces of Colorado history and culture to share.  The Stories of Colorado collection is curated by the Colorado State Library, but contains content contributed by individuals throughout the state.  Collections include oral essays, photographs and images, documents and videos, what ever captures the experiences, feelings, and moment in time of the people in our great state.

The Stories of Colorado Collection also supports the growth of other services provided by the State Library to the Colorado cultural heritage community, including the Tell Your Story activity from the CSL Big Red Recourse Kits, as well as the CVL Collections service and the Plains to Peak Collective, making unique digital collections available to all within our state and beyond.

To learn more about Stories of Colorado, and how you can participate, visit stories.cvlcollections.org/about.

The Plains to Peaks Collective (PPC) is the Colorado and Wyoming Service Hub of the Digital Public Library of America, or DPLA. The Plains to Peaks Collective helps libraries, archives, and museums share unique digital collections with a wider audience.

This page features news about the Collective and the digital collections of Colorado and Wyoming. To learn more about the Plains to Peaks Collective, and how your institution can participate, visit the website PPC.cvlsites.org.

Are you looking for a way to share digital collections like yearbooks, photos, and oral history recordings online?  The CVL Collections program can help you create and maintain a content management system (CMS) to store digital versions of the items in your collections and make them easy to find online. Additionally, CVL Collections facilitates participation in the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) via the Plains to Peaks Collective (PPC), which helps libraries, archives, and museums share unique digital collections with a wider audience.

To learn more about CVL Collections, and how your institution can participate, visit cvlcollections.org, or contact Amy Hitchner at ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

These kits are made possible through funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the Colorado State Library.