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IR (interactive reading)

(draft, 5.19.01/glf)

a proposal for library service

We all observe that the meaning of non circulating special collections is growing. They are growing in research value as universally available information is augmented and contested by their unique contents. We notice that the collections are now studied via multiple reading skills including those of visual literacy and physical media examination. Finally, it is apparent that products of research done in special collections can be delivered via new, technology assisted composite reading modes. These innovative research publications, in turn, germinate additional approaches to the study of special collections.

To discover such new meanings and consequences, the library can provide infrastructure for new, interactive reading methods. This infrastructure can interface on-line content with artifacts in hand. The infrastructure can facilitate examination of visual content and physical format. Then the infrastructure can enable the assembly and documentation of findings direct to composite reading modes.

The infrastructure can augment, not eclipse, traditional reading methods. Process components of image capture, raster image processing including file management, virtual book formatting, optical character recognition and multiple pull down output options will all seamlessly interface traditional communication, transmission, review and publication techniques.

The infrastructure can respond with agility in an “on-demand” context. Both direct, reader managed and indirect, reader requested processing can be provided. All needed assistance will be provided to insure reader efficiency while this same surveillance also provides handling and security safeguards. All initial capture activities will have strict library oversight and be based on non damaging, top-down, face scanning.

The interactive reader services will be revenue positive and fully cost recovered. Staffed services will be available beyond the on-site reader base to both the off-site university affiliate as well as to other research institutions. Revenues will be returned to wider preservation and curatorial activities calculated to further develop the collections. The IR services will be supported by further evaluations and research into their most promising and most requested applications.

The IR services will attract and, perhaps, engender scholars distinguished in their comprehensive reading skills. The IR services will also distinguish particular institutional objectives including curatorial objectives for special collection development as well as the preservation objective to assure the continuing role of source originals in the context of digital delivery. Beyond these objectives the IR service will examine the interactivity of original and copy to map the various interactions that engender new meanings.

(to be reviewed, revised and extended by experts)