Queensland’s Collections, Access and Digitisation Survey Summary

State Library of Queensland has completed the Queensland’s Collections, Access and Digitisation Survey 2013. Sent to organisations throughout Queensland that house historical collections, the survey shows a very busy and diverse state of collecting of Queensland memory. Survey participants let us know that Queensland memory can be found in libraries, Indigenous Knowledge Centres, archives, museums, historical societies, associations, family history centres and small collecting institutions. State Library is a shared custodian of this distributed collection and was eager to learn what support might be needed to assist with advocacy and online access to these diverse and priceless collections found in almost every Queensland community.

The survey shows that the majority of the organisations in this distributed collection are staffed with volunteers. For those of you who volunteer, thank you.

Other interesting findings show:

• Top three types of content collected: photographs, books, organisation records
• 73% responded that they are collecting contemporary materials
• 80% are digitising collections
• Those who are not digitising noted limited funding resources as the number one reason for not digitising
• The majority of respondents asked for support with training, and need funding, equipment and technical advice in order to digitise collections

Look for a more detailed survey review from State Library in the upcoming months in the Queensland memory enewsletter.

Catherine Cottle - Digital Collections Curator, State Library of Queensland