SELECTING MICROFILM FOR DIGITAL PRESERVATION - A CASE-STUDY FROM PROJECT OPEN-BOOK

Project Open Book is Yale University Library's multiyear, multifaceted study exploring the feasibility of converting preservation microfilm to digital imagery and enhancing both physical and intellectual access to the resulting collection of digital files. Selection is the centra l intellectual challenge; challenges are outlined from Yale's case stu dy that will also have bearing on content-oriented selection for digit al conversion of books that have been microfilmed in the nation's Brit tle Books Program. The approach outlined here for building a digital l ibrary from microfilm of the nation's most important brittle books pla ces collection managers under the same umbrella with the other parties interested in creating and then preserving the availability of digita l resources. The lessons from Project Open Book about selection of mic rofilm point to very concrete and achievable solutions for everyone in volved in preservation microfilming and the digital conversion of that film.