Milne en masse: A Case Study in Digitizing Large Image Collections

Abstract

In December 2012, the University of Saskatchewan Library’s University Archives & Special Collections acquired the complete image collection of Courtney Milne, a professional photographer whose worked encompassed documentary, abstract and fine art photographs. Among other material, the collection included over 500,000 original images both in slide and “born digital” format, easily double the total number of all other images held by the Archives at that time. From acquisition to digital curation, the authors, identify, outline, and discuss the various points at which key decisions were made in order to make this extensive collection available to the public both online and off. In particular, issues surrounding fine art photography and donor relations will be discussed.