The number of items in some collections can be staggering, with digitisation projects potentially taking years to complete, with 56 per cent of respondents to the survey said at the current rate they would achieve their digitisation goals in 10 years or more.

The significant benefits, opportunities and challenges of digitising collections highlighted in this report, along with practical advice, make the report relevant for anyone in the earlier stages of their digitisation journey.  And as a practical means to delivering a substantial project, volunteering is as relevant now as ever.

It explores the current digitisation strategies of today’s collections management organisations, drawing on the views of more than 100 professionals working in museums, archives, galleries and other collections institutions.

In particular, it focuses on how readily they are integrating volunteers into their approach and moving to crowdsourcing to increase their rate of digitisation.

Developed in conjunction with MCN, it includes examples from institutions world-wide and provides insight into how these strategies are working in practice. It also offers practical and useful advice for how you can successfully deploy these strategies in your institution.

The report gives examples and advice on how to successfully use volunteers and crowdsourcing to accelerate digitisation and features examples from Smithsonian Transcription Centre, South Western Federation of Museums and Art Galleries, The Street Art Museum Amsterdam, Royal Academy of Music, American Natural History Museum and more.

  • Industry trends for digitisation
  • Sourcing volunteers and participants for crowdsourcing
  • Overcoming equipment and technology barriers
  • Training and managing volunteers effectively
  • Ensuring accuracy of data and reconciling data
  • Top tips for successful projects
Back to top