The complexities of shared digital curation

a case study relating to Lesotho material held in the Royal Commonwealth Society collection at Cambridge University Library

Abstract

The demand for digitisation seems greater than ever. While there are enormous possibilities for digital repatriation and resource sharing, digitisation projects are far from easy solutions. Using a recently completed digitisation project focusing on Southern African material at Cambridge University Library as a case study, this paper provides practical insights into an attempt at shared digital curation, from the selection of material for digitisation through to opportunities for resource sharing. Challenges in the form of a lack of pre-project planning and institutional barriers are considered alongside examples of successful collaborative efforts with partners in Southern Africa. It is concluded that shared digital curation, particularly in the context of colonial-era collections, remains largely aspirational.