DigiZeitschriften (case study)
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OVERVIEW
DigiZeitschriften was chosen by Ithaka as a case study in Sustainability to demonstrate a real world example of a theoretical business model. These business models were outlined in the initial report by Kevin Guthrie, Rebecca Griffiths and Nancy Maron, Sustainability and Online Revenue Models: An Ithaka Report (May 2008).
Background
But perhaps most important to DigiZeit’s overall sustainability strategy are two elements that allow it to keep its costs to a minimum. The first is its organisational structure, which consists of a formal partnership among fourteen member libraries. Each member institution contributes its expertise and time in helping to select content for inclusion in the database, and in negotiating with the publishers whose content is to be digitised. The second element concerns DigiZeit’s home at the Digitisation Center at the University of Göttingen, which permits it to benefit from the expertise and equipment on site there for the several other projects they manage.
This case study explores the partnership model, particularly in the ways that partners with common goals can work together to help share expertise and minimize costs. It will also explore the advantages of situating DigiZeit at a university library, in terms of lowering digitisation costs and benefiting from other software innovations taking place at the library. As of 2008, DigiZeit’s subscription revenues cover its operating costs, which are quite low. We will explore the benefits and risks of managing a project that addresses a specific niche, and with only modest goals for future growth, raising issues of the need to be aware of and responsive to user needs over time.
[[role::strategy manager]] [[role::policy maker]] [[role::project manager]] [[role::content manager]] [[role::acquisitions manager]] [[goal::managing]] [[goal::planning]] [[level::basic]] [[level::medium]]
