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Enhancing Digital Humanities at Columbia University Libraries: A Practicum Experience

This project report details my internship at Butler Library’s Digital Humanities Center (DHC) at Columbia University, highlighting key activities such as cataloging media donations like Kim’s Video DVDs and serving at the Reference Desk. I navigated advanced research questions and utilized various digital tools, all while exploring the challenges and opportunities surrounding the DHC's future renovations. Key insights include staff enthusiasm, the need for assessment librarians, and the importance of faculty focus groups to enhance library services.

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Enhancing Digital Humanities at Columbia University Libraries: A Practicum Experience

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  1. Caution: Large-Scale Projects at Work Columbia University Libraries: Butler Library’s Media Center and Digital Humanities Center Bethany Edwards LIS 698-01: Practicum Dean Giannini

  2. 1) Kim’s Video DVD donation • 2) Reference Desk • 3) Digital Humanities Center Interning at Butler Library

  3. Cataloging system: Voyager • Fairly straightforward copy cataloging • Some foreign films required some detective skills • Russian characters for “English subtitles” Kim’s Video DVD’s

  4. Sunday afternoons • “This is due on Monday.” • Advanced research questions • Lots of questions about technology and the library’s online tools. • CLIO • Subject Guides • Printer Privileges? The Reference Desk

  5. Official Practicum Project • Bob Scott, Director • DHC is in conversation with Digital Science Center and Digital Social Science Center • Planned future expansion Digital Humanities Center

  6. DSC and DSSC have been renovated in the past few years • DHC has been told they will get a renovation and an additional space • Assessment of current DHC is planned before renovation/expansion—data driven improvements • Issues: Delays, no assessment librarian DHC: “New in 2012”

  7. Literature review • Open questions about use of space will be included in faculty focus group sessions • Unique nature of the space presents challenges DHC: New Space

  8. Focus on faculty: Database • Focus on process: Best practices in conducting focus groups in libraries • Focus on action: Questions, notices, meetings • Focus on the future: Work in progress DHC: Focus Groups

  9. Filemaker Pro • RefWorks • Google docs • Familiarity with DHC’s tools • ABBYY Fine Reader • Adobe Suite • Nvivo 9 • Arc, Google Earth • SPSS Digital Tools

  10. Based on previous assessment results, DHC is on the right track in terms of gathering and interpreting data. • Staff associated with DHC are very enthusiastic • Lack of an assessment librarian (or someone in a similar role) made the smallest steps more difficult • “Intern” status has prevented useful interaction with the IRB • Why hasn’t focus group happened yet? • Faculty seem to respect the DHC and digital scholarship • Main barrier is time and resources • DHC director , steering committee, and faculty selected for focus groups have limited time Findings

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