A Survey of Digital Cultural Heritage Initiatives and Their Sustainability Concerns. Managing Economic Challenges.

In September 2002, the Council on Library and Information Re-sources (CLIR) commissioned a survey of North American-based digital cultural heritage initiatives (DCHIs). The purpose of the survey was to identify the scope, financing, organizational structure, and sustainability of DCHIs. To gain a funder's perspective on these initiatives, the survey also included a few public and private funding organizations that support projects with a digital cultural heritage component. Thirty-three organization or projects and five funding agencies or foundations were included in the survey. The findings outlined throughout this report identify concerns about the current status and tenuous state of many digital cultural initiatives. These findings, in concert with the recommendations proposed, offer a blueprint for those exploring appropriate strategies to support and strengthen digital cultural initiatives. The number and diversity of issues that affect DCHIs and jeopardize their future warrant a coordinated and consensus-driven approach to the problem. The report consists of five parts: background; review of Digital Cultural Heritage Initiatives; review of funders of Digital Cultural Heritage Initiatives; recommendations; and summary. Appendixes include a list of participating organizations and contacts; CLIR survey for DCHIs; CLIR survey for organizations funding DCHIs. (AEF)