D-LAB

CLASS: LIS 60638 Digital Libraries

PROJECT: Class Project: The Digital Library and Archives of Babel (D-LAB)

PLO(s):

• PLO 1: Apply the field's functional theories, principles, values, ethics and skills to everyday practice.

• PLO 4: Evaluate systems and technologies relevant to a particular information content.

• PLO 5: Identify needs and connect individuals and communities with information that engages and empowers them.

ANNOTATION: The Digital Library and Archives of Babel (D-LAB) is a fictional consortial library created in the Digital Libraries (LIS 60638) class. Each class member's individual collection is included in D-LAB; My individual project is the Digital Divination Collection. Working as a group, our class created a collection policy, digitization policy, and metadata application profile. I contributed my expertise with digitization, consistent file naming, creating file derivatives, and working with metadata schema and controlled vocabularies to the creation of these policies. All policies are available on the D-LAB site for transparency and future partner organizations.

I was the primary web designer for the D-LAB site and created a custom logo, color scheme, and background as well as the information hierarchy and site structure. I conducted usability and accessibility testing on the site and made adjustments based on a sample user persona. Though not all features were able to be fully implemented on this site, mock features such as Help Chat and Search Tips were created for the benefit of potential users. Working collaboratively as a remote team with unique collections and different perspectives was instrumental in creating D-LAB.

SAA Core Values:

• Expand access and usage opportunities for users, and potential users, of archival records.

• Cultivate collaborative opportunities not only with creators, users, and colleagues, but with any interested parties who wish to engage with archival records.

• Develop and follow professional standards that promote transparency and mitigate harm.

• Actively share their knowledge and expertise with creators, users, and colleagues.