About the Repository

DigitalMSS is an ongoing experiment studying the suitability of open-source institutional repository (IR) software as a sustainable organization and distribution platform for digitized manuscript materials. It is maintained by staff from the Paul Meek Library at the University of Tennessee at Martin. The site is a delivery mechanism rather than a research tool. Although it has basic search functions, the file data is limited to the sort of information listed in the entries of finding aids. File structure and numbering follows the physical arrangement of the archivally processed collections. Consult the department’s finding aid Web page [http://www.utm.edu/departments/acadpro/library/departments/special_collections/ms.htm] to identify material. Full-text electronic files may be downloaded at no cost from the site. Only material within public domain is posted electronically. Because the database is experimental, many archival files are available at different resolutions and file configurations, but not all options are available for each file. The database grows as staff time is available, guided by public demand. Request digital copies [http://digitalmss.utm.edu/request.html]. The entire collection will probably never be available digitally, but users may submit a digital-access request for specific material from collections in our holdings. All requests to add material to the database are carefully considered; requests for digital access to material which has statutory limits or may be physically damaged in scanning may be denied but all items in the collection are accessible in person in the departmental reading room. Because of staff, time, and equipment costs, legal considerations, and the need to do other things, it is unlikely that all of the departmental holdings will ever be digitized. Files may not be added by users, but users who create transcripts of material they find on DigitalMSS are encouraged to submit them to departmental staff, who may add them to the database as supplements to the image files. Contact departmental staff for details.

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