More and more, library patrons are embracing the ease with which information can be accessed digitally. In an instant, a few keywords can bring patrons exactly what they desire, such as a book or a photograph, rather than going through the much more tedious activity of browsing through shelves, searching for a call number, or, even more daunting, the process of trying to work a microfilm reel. This is why many librarians in libraries of every size and type are currently working towards making information available electronically. There are many questions that arise when attempting this, however, including: .What should be stored? .Where and how should it be stored? .How exactly is information stored in a computer? .Does it really make a difference if one uses a jpg or a tiff file? Digitization and Digital Archiving: A Practical Guide for Librarians is a comprehensive guide to the process of digital storage and archiving.

Assuming only basic computer knowledge, this guide walks the reader through everything he or she needs to know to start or maintain a digital archiving project. Beginning with a basic explanation of how computers store data, it then covers more complex topics, such as the difference between a CD and a DVD or why png and gif files are best suited for online images, or even why archives are still generating reels of microfilm when bytes and pixels are so much more convenient. Whether his or her budget and library is large or small, any librarian interested in how digital information is stored can benefit from this guide.".