Digital Scriptorium, Developing a Union Catalog of Medieval Manuscripts

FAIN: PA-50605-04

Columbia University (New York, NY 10027-7922)
Jean Willoughby Ashton (Project Director: July 2003 to February 2006)
Janet Elaine Gertz (Project Director: February 2006 to July 2006)
Consuelo W. Dutschke (Project Director: July 2006 to November 2007)

The incorporation of images into the Digital Scriptorium, a union catalog of medieval and renaissance manuscripts from the collections of the Houghton Library of Harvard and an additional six small libraries (Fordham, Notre Dame, and Rutgers Universities, Oberlin College, the Philadelphia Free Library, and the University of Kansas.)

Columbia University Libraries proposes a 24-month project to transform Digital Scriptorium, a successful prototype image database of medieval and renaissance manuscripts, into a robust and sustainable electronic resource. This transformation will entail the incorporation of the Houghton Library’s collection at Harvard University, as well as the inclusion of several small and medium collections. Digital Scriptorium will develop a sustainable technology infrastructure to provide scholars with improved image display and navigation options and allow for expansion of Digital Scriptorium’s content in the future. Finally, this project will ensure Digital Scriptorium’s long-term availability through the development of a sound business plan.