What was the DigiDo Project?
This digitisation project was run by the National Library for Wales to support small and medium sized creative businesses within the convergence areas of Wales. For over ten years, the National Library has been conducting a large number of digitisation projects. The National Library is recognized as a center of excellence in digitisation throughout Europe. By digitising the collections, the Library’s intention is to offer access to its vast collections.
The aim of the project was to encourage innovative Welsh businesses and give them the tools to be able to compete both locally and globally. This project provided an opportunity for businesses to exploit and re-use this large repository that exists within the National Library of Wales, one of the greatest libraries of the world.
What’s different about this project?
New material is digitised daily and high resolution copies of the images were available free of charge to businesses to reproduce commercially. The aim of the project was to promote creative businesses in Wales to see the potential and wealth within different historic collections. The project offered an invaluable chance for businesses to access the support and expertise of the Library’s staff. Businesses were given specialist advice and knowledge on a range of issues from copyright, licensing and IT, through to digital capture, digital storage and preservation to searching current resources.
Items that have already been digitized include:
• Manuscripts;
• Archives;
• Printed Material;
• Pictures;
• Maps;
• Photographs.
How was the project funded?
This four-year project was backed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government, along with resources from the Library. We would not have been able to provide this project and service without the help and financial support of the European Regional Development Fund.