dmBridge: Building a collaborative solution for streamlined digital library design and development

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2010

Publication Title

OCLC Systems and Services: International Digital Library Perspective

Volume

26

Issue

2

First page number:

103

Last page number:

113

Abstract

Purpose – Development of library digital initiatives increasingly requires integration of new technologies and collaboration between staff to accomplish specialized responsibilities. Yet, as responsibilities have evolved, the software tools used to fulfill them have largely failed to keep pace. This paper aims to show how UNLV Libraries overcame these challenges by developing a collaborative workflow model in a team with mixed technical skills.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper offers a case study of one library's effort to transform inefficient web development processes in the digital library unit into an agile, collaborative team workflow through the development of a tool (dmBridge) that helps to reduce redundancies and encourage cooperation in the digital library design process.

Findings – dmBridge came about in response to the growing necessity to create a sustainable digital library workflow within a framework capable of accommodating advanced customizability and relatively simple web development for CONTENTdm digital collections.

Practical implications – As libraries seek to extend technology and digitization partnerships and cultivate successful grant funding, the authors demonstrate how development of tools like dmBridge can deliver an improved user experience, boost project efficiency, and support the strategic goals of the institution.

Originality/value – dmBridge fills a need for a more modern, feature-rich, customizable digital collections framework. In doing so, it has brought about a considerable transformation in digitization projects workflow and resource provisioning.

Keywords

Computer applications; Digital libraries; Library exhibits; Library materials — Digitization; Open source software – Library applications; Product development; United States of America; Web site development; Web sites —Design; World Wide Web

Disciplines

Library and Information Science | Organizational Communication | Science and Technology Studies | Software Engineering

Language

English

Permissions

Use Find in Your Library, contact the author, or use interlibrary loan to garner a copy of the article. Publisher copyright policy allows author to archive post-print (author’s final manuscript). When post-print is available or publisher policy changes, the article will be deposited

Publisher Citation

Lampert, C., Dolski, A., & Egan, B. (2010). DmBridge: Building a collaborative solution for streamlined digital library design and development. OCLC Systems and Services, 26, 103-113. doi:10.1108/10650751011048470

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