Digitization Training Program (Pilot Program)

Dates

Eleven two-hour sessions held weekly from September 24 to December 10, 2024

Delivery

Online interactive sessions through Zoom

Application deadline

June 4, 2024

Participant selection

June 18, 2024

Language of instruction

English (some resources will be available in French)

Registration fees

CAN$100 (plus applicable taxes) per institution (up to two participants per institution)

Number of participants

A maximum of 20 institutions will be selected.

Instructors

• Ern Bieman, Heritage Information Analyst, Canadian Heritage Information Network
• Devon Mordell, Educational Developer, McMaster University
• Germain Wiseman, Scientific Documentation Technologist, Canadian Conservation Institute
• Mylène Choquette, Senior Scientific Documentation Technologist, Canadian Conservation Institute
• Nathalie Guénette, Heritage Information Analyst, Canadian Heritage Information Network

Who should apply?

This training program may be for you if you

• are currently an employee or volunteer at a museum, archive or heritage institution,
• are currently implementing or planning to implement a digitization project in the near future,
• will be working with a limited budget and
• have had little or no prior training in digitization.

Participant requirements

Participants must have access to the following before the third session of the training program:

• flatbed scanner
• DSLR or mirrorless camera (participants must have a basic understanding of manual camera settings)
• RAW image processing software (free download from the camera manufacturer)
• movable light sources (such as a lamp, a flash and LED light panels)
• scanning software (VueScan Pro will be used in demonstrations)
• image editing software (GIMP, a free application, will be used in demonstrations)
• photo-stitching software (Hugin, a free application, will be used in demonstrations)

Guidance will be offered at the beginning of the training program to help participants select a flatbed scanner, scanning software and image editing software.

Learning objectives

By the end of this training program, participants will be able to

• apply concepts learned to the development of a digitization policy for their own institution;
• assess key components of a digitization plan against the needs of their institution and apply these findings to the development of their own digitization plan;
• manage a digitization project and implement the nine steps of the digitization workflow within their institution (including preservation of digital assets); and
• differentiate between various forms and methods of digitization and apply basic procedures, including flatbed scanning, film and transparency scanning, photo documentation and audio and video digitization.

What to expect

Over 11 sessions, this training program will consist of the following:

• weekly interactive and activity-based course sessions
• intersession course exercises to help participants deepen their understanding of course content and practise new skills
• access to trainers for questions and feedback
• presentations of draft digitization plans by participants

Participants will apply concepts learned during weekly sessions to develop a digitization policy and plan for their own institution. On average, participants should expect to spend up to four hours per week attending sessions and working on course exercises.

Benefits of attending this training program

• Develop and implement a digitization policy and plan for your institution.
• Improve your ability to digitize various objects and media in a budget-conscious manner.
• Receive support and feedback from subject matter experts.
• Gain experience in the use of digitization equipment.
• Gain familiarity with all aspects of the digitization workflow for various forms of media.

How to apply

Please submit the completed application form by June 4.

You can apply as an individual or as a team of two people from the same institution. There is no additional cost for the second applicant from the same institution. Teams of two people from the same institution will be asked to work on their digitization policy, plan and course exercises together. Please specify in your application if you are applying as an individual or as a team.

In question 2 of the selection criteria on the workshop applicant form, please include a short description of a digitization project that is planned for your institution. You do not need to have a fully developed project when you apply, but you will be working on your digitization policy and plan as part of the training program, and you will present your draft digitization plan to the group at the end of the workshop.

Selection criteria

Successful applicants must indicate in their application that they

• are an employee or volunteer from a museum, archive or heritage institution (preference will be given to smaller institutions);
• have access to a computer with an Internet connection and access to all equipment listed in the “Participant requirements” section (by the third session); and
• are planning to implement a digitization project in the near future.

Preference will be given to employees or volunteers at institutions located in Canada.

Note: Digitization projects that benefit and/or involve Indigenous or other equity-deserving groups* are particularly encouraged.

*Equity-deserving groups are those that identify barriers to equal access, opportunities and resources due to disadvantage and discrimination based on age, ethnicity, disability, economic status, gender, nationality, race, sexual orientation and transgender status.

Partner

Canadian Heritage Information Network

Payment

Once you have received confirmation of registration, you will be contacted by phone to process the payment. The payment will be processed in Canadian funds by credit card (MasterCard or VISA).

Refunds

Requests to withdraw must be submitted in writing to CCI. Refunds will be issued under the following conditions:

• a full refund less a CAN$10 administrative fee for requests received more than 7 days prior to the start of the workshop and
• a 50% refund will be issued for cancellations made less than 7 business days prior to the start of the workshop.

CCI may make exceptions to this refund policy in the event of insurmountable difficulties in attending the workshop.

Cancellation

CCI reserves the right to cancel this workshop if the minimum enrolment requirement is not met 30 days prior to the event. In this case, CCI will refund the full registration fee but will not be responsible for any transportation, housing, loss of income or other costs that may have been incurred by the participants.

Additional information

Please contact CCI if you have any questions, comments or accommodation needs.