We are often asked how our digital archives are created, and how we create searchable versions of the original documents, especially when there is a large collection of physical material or the documents are rare and in frail condition.

 

In the first essay in our Behind the Scenes section, Seth Cayley (Gale's VP of Archives Publishing) looks at the process of creating the Daily Mail Historical Archive, one of the largest archives in the Gale Historical Newspapers collection, which also contains rare editions of the Daily Mail Atlantic Edition.

 

Future installments of this section will look at other archives that involve different aspects of digitisation and preservation, so make sure to come back regularly to see further essays and videos!

HOW WE CREATED THE
DAILY MAIL HISTORICAL ARCHIVE

How do we create a digital primary source archive? Our VP of Archives publishing looks back at the process of creating the Daily Mail Historical Archive, one of our largest and most unique newspaper archives.

 

EXPLORE THE TECHNICAL ELEMENTS BEHIND OUR DIGITAL ARCHIVES

After the documents are scanned, what do we have to do to make them searchable? Take a look at the processes and techniques we use to turn images of the physical document into a fully text-searchable archive for libraries.

 

BUILDING A DIGITAL ARCHIVE

When Gale creates any of its archives, a great deal of planning – which can range from two to five or more years – will have gone into its conception and execution. During that period, Gale’s editors weigh a series of factors before the decision to proceed with the project. In this post, our Editor Bennett Graff explores these factors behind Refugees, Relief, and Resettlement.
 

DEVELOPING IDEAS FOR A DIGITAL ARCHIVE

Gale publisher Phil Virta gives us a tour of his process for developing a digital archive. In this article, he discusses his sources of inspiration, how he fleshes out the idea, and why some ideas become archives and why some don't make it.


 

HOW DO WE MAKE A DIGITAL PRIMARY SOURCE ARCHIVE?

We asked various members of our production team some questions to explore the process behind digital archive production, and how they work with other parts of the Gale business to create our archives.


 

Building the Berlin Wall:
How we created the Long Read

Have you ever wondered how to create a research project using digitized primary sources? Gale's Strategic Marketing Manager Kyle Sheldrake gives a brief overview of the Berlin Wall Long Read, looking at the process of curating primary sources and secondary criticism to create a long-form exploration of the Berlin Wall.

 

Digitization and Preservation:
Working with the Royal Archives, Windsor

Roberta Giubilini and Puneeta Sharma from the Royal Archives, Windsor, discuss the preservations methods and practices that went into the creation of the Stuart and Cumberland Papers archive, and how the digitization process works around damage, and the conservation procedures needed to maintain the documents.