Considering Dynamic Non-Textual Content when Migrating Digital Asset Management Systems

Abstract

The researchers investigate how important managing and providing access to dynamic, non-textual media was to institutions that were migrating from one digital asset management system to another. Drawing upon data from a larger survey, the researchers used responses to categorical questions addressing extensibility, content management, and metadata to answer two queries: Do survey results suggest that institutions are considering dynamic non-textual content when migrating to a new DAMS? and What trends or features (developed or added through migrating), identified from survey results, could provide solutions to this problem? The researchers conclude that while there is an interest in managing and providing access to dynamic content, there seems to be a disconnect between respondent priorities, desired functionality, and system capabilities. Motivation As institutions continue to provide access to digitized and born digital collections and data, some have elected to migrate from one digital asset management system (DAMS) to another for a variety of reasons. The data referenced in this paper is drawn from Identifying Motivations for DAMS: Migration: A Survey, which identified 13 topical categories for migrating from one digital asset management system (DAMS) to another. This paper analyzes a subset of the responses which focus on topics associated with managing and providing access to dynamic, non­ textual media. With the proliferation of digitized and born digital, non-textual, dynamic content, it is necessary to design systems and services to meet this growing demand. The researchers believe that results from this study may give insight into whether or not libraries are considering implementing systems with improved access to non-static content or features that enable interaction with content in new ways.