The creation of the electronic archive would involve the configuration and operation of a production-scanning environment, and the processes to identify, select, preserve, organize, and describe each document, book, and still image in the collection. Then, the images would be copied and stored to a separate access server in which the access pdf files will be available for general document distribution, both internally and externally. This database was to be used as the basis for creating both internal and external interfaces for the general public. A second MSAccess database was being created for cataloging, description, and historical purposes, and the cataloging would follow already established archival standards. A project of this size inevitably runs into developments and problems that must be resolved on the fly.
Flexibility is key.
As Project Director, I frequently resolved issues with the understanding that requirements and needs would change again very soon. Initially, for example, another contractor was going to begin creating the interfaces and databases necessary for cataloging, search and retrieval, and storage of the images. That company was terminated, thus the MSAccess database was created as a band-aid in order to get through the subsequent several months. Another issue involved PhotoShop, the scanning software being used. PhotoShop is powerful, but too many of the features were not suitable for this particular project.