Project Plan

Purpose and Background

Digital libraries (DL) play a major role in preserving and extending access to an institution’s unique and diverse cultural heritage materials. Over the last two decades, DL has evolved from a monolithic and data-centric operation to a more open, user- and service-oriented endeavor (Agosti, 2011; Agosti, Ferro, & Silvello, 2016; Xie, 2016). The progress and fortification of DL standards, metadata schema, technology infrastructure, and best practices further enable the aggregation of rich content among DLs (Calhoun, 2014). Aided by social media tools, DLs form partnerships to make their diverse content and services available to a wider audience. Digital Public Library of America, Europeana, and Pacific Rim Library are examples of such concerted efforts.

This proposed visit aims to survey and analyze the management and strategic values of digital libraries (DL) at selected PRRLA libraries in Canada and the United States. Specifically, the project seeks to address the following research questions:

• What is the DL operation and structure at these libraries, based on the 5S framework of Digital Library[1] (Fox, Gonçalves, and Shen, 2012)?

• What are the opportunities, strategic value, as well as barriers and challenges of DL perceived by the leaders of these libraries?

• How can PRRLA best advance its mission of facilitating collaborations, generating synergies, and promoting innovations in the realm of DL?

Methodology and Objectives

Methodology

The study seeks to survey the current digital library landscape at selected PRRLA institutions in Canada and the United States. The proposed research strategy is a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The research consists of a sequential exploratory design by first performing content analysis of the websites of participating libraries for qualitative data, then by conducting on-site or phone interviews of key stakeholders of those libraries for quantitative data. The datasets collected from these methodologies will then be analyzed for emerging themes and trends, as well as compared to determine whether there is convergence, differences, and correlation.

There are several benefits of mixed-methods research (Creswell, 2009; Creswell & Clark, 2011). First, it takes advantage of the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative research and, thus, offsets the weaknesses of both research methodologies. Second, a mixed-methods approach can better address complex research topics, especially for research questions that cannot be answered by either qualitative or quantitative methods. Additionally, more insight and evidence can be acquired from the combination of these two approaches. Finally, mixed methods provide an opportunity to view issues from multiple worldviews, instead of limiting them to certain paradigms associated with a specific research methodology.

Objectives

By surveying selected PRRLA libraries, this exploratory study will offer the following objectives:

• The themes and findings that emerge from the study will inform library leaders, administration, policy makers, and practitioners about trends, issues, and strategic values in the DL landscape.

• The best practices and innovative services observed will help PRRLA members to improve access to scholarly content and to preserve cultural heritage materials.

• The study will strengthen the relationship among PRRLA member libraries and explore opportunities for future collaboration, partnership, and resource sharing.

• Insights from the study will fill gaps in the literature of digital libraries practice and research.

• As an IT professional and a library science educator, I anticipate that the knowledge I gain and the professional network I establish from this study will greatly enhance my work, research, and teaching at USC.

Anticipated Form of Dissemination

To maximize the impact of this research, a well-developed communications plan to inform participants and potential audiences of the progress and results of the project is necessary. Furthermore, a detailed communication plan can ensure that the project is on track and within its defined timeframe, focus, and direction. Regular progress updates can also generate the visibility and credibility of the project. The five components of the communication plan to disseminate the progress and findings of this research are:

1. Objectives: The objectives of the communication plan are to keep participants informed on the progress and findings of this project. The plan will clearly reflect the goals and applications of the project. The anticipated outcome of the communication plan is to generate a broader conversation among participants about what the research means and what we can do with the results.

2. Who: the target audiences are the USC Libraries, PRRLA community, the hosts, sponsors, and collaborators. I will share results with those individuals involved in the project.

3. What: the messages to convey include regular updates, the findings and results of the project.

4. How: The media are the message. Choosing appropriate communication vehicles and tactics is critical for effectively reaching the target audiences. I plan to share the project progress, outcomes, and experiences through the project’s website, present the findings at relevant national and international conferences, including the PRRLA annual meeting, as well as publish them in scholarly journals.

5. When: Progress updates will be posted on the project’s website regularly. The final findings will be submitted to the Research Committee two months after the completion of the project.

Project Constraints

There are several important limitations in this study. First, it is assumed that the participants’ answers will reflect what they truly believe. It is possible that their responses might include subjective views and, hence, not be representative of the actual practice or collective view of their digital library program. Furthermore, the participants may provide guarded answers on sensitive questions. Second, there are limitations related to the design of the focus group study. The reliability and validity of the interview questions can have a serious impact on the data collected and, thus, the findings. Finally, the study is conducted at institutions in Canada and United States. The generalizability of its findings is limited. Given this fact, as well as the unique characteristics of each digital library, its unique collections, operation, and focus, the conclusions of this study may not be easily transferrable to other PRRLA member libraries.

[1] The 5S framework of Digital Libraries offers a theoretical foundation for understanding the DL universe and the dynamic interaction between its content and users. The framework’s five complementary dimensions consist of Streams (the type of multimedia content a DL supports), Structure (how the DL content is organized), Spaces (how DL content is presented), Scenarios (the operations and services provided by DL), and Societies (the user community and relationship of DL). Combined together, the 5S presents a top-level view of the complex operations of DL, its interdisciplinary nature, as well as its intellectual activities with its user community.