16 · Survey Results: Executive Summary
images is accessible from any location and that all
service points provide support for digital images and
databases. Usually, the library or department most
directly related to the content matter of the images,
especially as relates to the creation of those images,
takes responsibility for providing support for the use
of the images. The most frequently reported special-
ized units were visual resources centers located within
the art history department, archives and special collec-
tions, and digital library services units. Digital library
service units usually provide support for a wide range
of digitization activities, including those relating to
images. Staff in archives and special collections and
digital library services units usually provide support
for the use of locally created digital images, while staff
at the library reference desk provide help with the
use of licensed image databases/resources. For those
institutions with no specialized service point, support
is provided at the reference desk. Although not ex-
pressly stated, it appears the main library is gradually
assuming responsibilities that historically used to be
the domain of departmental visual resources centres.
A typical scenario was provided by one respondent:
“There are various units, groups, and people that
support the use of different digital image databases/
resources for different support needs. This is done, to
some degree, by all faculty and staff in the libraries.”
The most common service provided for users is
finding/locating images (77, or 97%) followed by as-
sisting with copyright, citing, and permissions (73,
or 92%), creating images (i.e., scanning, digitizing)
(92%), using local/institutional image databases/re-
sources (72, or 91%), using licensed image databases/
resources (69, or 87%), and saving and storing images
(65, or 82%). Other services include providing access
to software to create images, assisting with editing
and printing of images, and creating metadata to sup-
port findability. A range of units are responsible for
providing these services, but again the main library
and branch/subject libraries are most often the service
providers. Other units include digital/IT services,
special collections and archives, and university coun-
sel/copyright. Several respondents reported a media
commons unit both within and outside the library
that assist students and faculty with “creative uses
of technology.” Also reported were digitization units
that were responsible for coordinating and overseeing
large-scale digitization projects.
Respondents did not generally distinguish be-
tween web pages as finding aids, promotional tools,
or instruction/training tools. Often the same web
pages provide multiple functions or serve as a starting
point. Web pages are generally visually dynamic and
used to promote local collections by presenting them
in meaningful ways, thematically or by providing ad-
ditional context. They usually describe and provide
access to a range of digital collections in addition to
digital images. Many web pages include thematic
essays, links to exhibitions, bibliographies, and other
collections. A web page is the most common finding
aid provided for locating digital image databases/
resources (72, or 91%), followed by a LibGuide (62, or
79%). Web pages usually offer access to digital collec-
tions through basic and advanced search tools and
browsing. Numerous respondents mentioned the use
of archival findings aids, usually encoded archival
descriptions. Also reported were the Archon archival
system, videos and electronic bulletin boards, and
online catalogue and discovery layers.
Web pages provided by the library/visual resourc-
es staff are the most common method of instruction/
training for the use of digital image databases/ re-
sources (59, or 79%), followed by workshops provided
by the library/visual resources staff (52, or 69%), web
pages provided by licensed image database pro-
vider (39, or 52%), and web-based tutorials provided
by a licensed image database provider (28, or 37%).
Many web pages link directly to the ARTstor web-
site or training tools. Respondents also mentioned
LibGuides, in-class instruction, individual consulta-
tions, and reference desk assistance. One respondent
mentioned a webcast of one-time live presentations
made available on the institution’s website.
A web page is the most common method used
to promote digital image databases/resources (77,
or 95%), followed by LibGuide (59, or 73%), listserv/
electronic mail list (32, or 40%), and newsletter (29,
or 36%). There were a large number of other meth-
ods reported (27, or 33%). Social media including
Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Social Pin are often
used as a method to promote digital images databases
/resources and highlight new acquisitions or newly
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