Ohio Memory will accept materials from institutions that hold collections relating to history, natural history or archeology. The most common examples of these institutions include: historical societies, museums, archives and public, academic and special libraries.

Absolutely. Ohio Memory offers smaller institutions an opportunity to gain experience with digitization without the burden of purchasing expensive equipment and training. Since Ohio Memory is a cooperative effort, large and small organizations are encouraged to work together to ensure the participation of all of Ohio's cultural institutions.

Ohio Memory will include links to the home page of the submitting institution and a project site, if materials are included in an online exhibit or database. These links will be part of the descriptive information about an item, and on special "links" and "contributors" pages.

Ohio Memory staff will make every effort to ensure that at least one item from every submitting institution is included on the web site. Certain items may not be accepted due to poor scanning potential or duplicate submissions. Contributors are encouraged to review the submission criteria before submitting materials to Ohio Memory.

There is no minimum or maximum number of materials an institution may submit. Submissions can also be in the form of individual items, entire collections, or portions of collections.

The second phase of Ohio Memory depends upon when funding becomes available. Please sign up for the listserv, or check back periodically for updates.

Please feel free to call the Ohio Memory staff if you feel that you do not have anything to contribute to Ohio Memory. Staff will be happy to review your collections with you and/or discuss ways in which you can help coordinate efforts in your area or serve as a digitization center.

Through participation in Ohio Memory, institutions can gain experience with digitization without a financial commitment. Participants will gain a higher profile from the potentially large number of users who will access the Ohio Memory Online Scrapbook. Furthermore, digitization can help conserve fragile materials by limiting physical access to them. A project such as this is sure to result in more knowledgeable users who visit or contact your institution knowing exactly what they are looking for. Taking part in a state-wide cooperative effort to highlight Ohio's most significant treasures is an excellent way to celebrate the Bicentennial.

No. Ohio Memory has a strict scanning philosophy that views digitization as the creation of digital surrogates that should be as close to the original as possible. Imperfections will not be "fixed," nor will images be cropped or substantially altered.

While Ohio Memory is willing to scan all materials accepted for the project, participants are welcome to digitize materials themselves as long as certain minimum standards are met.