RESOURCES
Best practices, guidelines, policies, requirements, training materials, and other useful resources.
We expect the information on this page to continually update as requirements, standards, and technologies evolve.
Please check back frequently for new materials and updates.
Using Images
General Use
FREE to search, browse, and view (no log-in required.)
Personal Research or School Presentations
FREE to use for personal research or educational purposes. You can search, browse, view, and download low-resolution images with no additional permissions needed. All we ask is that you give our partners proper credit by including a citation to the materials in the style of your choosing.
Publications
Requires consent. Each of our partners maintains their own policies for publication which may or may not include a publication fee. If you are interested in using our materials in a publication, we can put you in touch with a partner representative who can assist you.
Questions about an item?
Please contact us, and we will put you in touch with the appropriate partner institution.
Partner Requirements
Collection Development Policy
Important collection information, including collection parameters, copyright, and use of contributed materials. As a partner, institutions must understand and agree to the terms outlined in this policy.
File Transfer Service
File transfer offers ease of use for item and metadata submission via an MDL-created folder.
Metadata Best Practices
Instructions regarding writing data for manuscripts, documents, photographs, and related materials.
Metadata Template
Spreadsheet organized with fields ready for metadata entry and submission.
Project Standards
Authorities
Controlled vocabulary for data types such as Name and Subject headings.
Copyright and Reuse Statements
Best practice right statements to communicate copyright and reuse status of digital objects.
Digitization Standards
Recommended master and access digitization standards for cultural heritage still images.
Dublin Core Metadata Initiative
Open organization supporting innovation in metadata best practices and design.
Formats Statement
Accessibility and preservation recommendations for creative content in analog and digital formats.
RightsStatements.org
International consortium tasked to address the needs of cultural heritage institutions with standardized rights statements and the technical and governance infrastructure to support them.
Project Templates
Item Production Record
Template to capture important information about each item.
Selection Log
Template to track items for digitization.
Workflow Log
Template to track digitization progress of each item.
External Sources
American Library Association
Multi-institutional group founded to develop open access, collaborative library policies, resources and standards for enhanced learning.
Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative
Collaboration of Federal agencies creating a sustainable set of technical guidelines, methods, and practices for digitized and born digital historical, archival and cultural content.
Library of Congress
U.S. preservation and conservation center for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and leads national guideline and standards development in these areas.