Changing Collaborative Practices: Striving for More Mindful and Balanced Partnerships

Working with non-traditional partners on digitization initiatives can be full of challenges. Community partners may not have cataloging or metadata experience, they may lack funds for equipment or software necessary for digitization, they may be short staffed, and for a multitude of reasons getting buy-in for digitization projects may be difficult. As academic libraries, we often see our roles as facilitators and advisors, providing expertise where needed to help achieve the community’s digitization goals. Yet, how do we ensure collaborative efforts are beneficial for all parties? How do we ensure everyone has a seat at the table while balancing the technical workflows required in creating digital collections? Building on the concept of “radical collaboration” introduced by Nancy McGovern, director of Digital Preservation at MIT Libraries, this presentation frames a discussion around strategies for implementing inclusivity in community partnerships. This presentation also provides examples from several academic and cultural heritage organizations demonstrating successful digital collections initiatives with non-traditional and historically marginalized communities, where mindful collaboration is essential