Training the student scanners at DLG

From Donnie Summerlin, one of the student supervisors at the DLG and a project team member.
 
"On March 8, 2012 the Digital Library of Georgia began training their student assistants in the process of scanning, naming, and cropping materials received from the Atlanta History Center.

We first taught each student how to properly prepare for handling the materials. This preparation included putting their bags in a locker, washing their hands, covering their work table with fresh paper, and cleaning their scanner to ensure the scans are of the highest quality.

Once their workspace was prepared, we trained the students to properly handle the materials during the scanning process. We felt it important to convey to them the significance of the collections they would be working with and the importance of following best practices to ensure their protection, because the safety of the documents is the most important consideration. We taught them to provide support for the documents when moving them and leave the materials in the order in which they found them. We also stressed the importance of identifying concerns with the documents throughout the process and notifying one of their supervisors to ensure that any problems are handled promptly.

The students also learned how to organize the files created during the digitization process. We taught them how to correctly establish a folder hierarchy and appropriately name the files they place in those folders to ensure that their work is placed in the proper order and context, which in turn will preserve the digital integrity of the collections. As the project continues, we plan to regularly review the process with the students to make certain that their work maintains the standards set forth in the project guidelines."