ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Statewide & Regional Stepping Stones to the National Digital Platform Project was a one year IMLS-funded planning study based at Grand Valley State University to explore the creation of a first-of-its kind digital preservation network for the state of Michigan and the surrounding area. The Stepping Stones project was led by Matt Schultz, assisted by Jenna Vainner (Library Specialist – Dean’s Office, GVSU) and Stephen Bennett (Project Data Assistant, GVSU).

The project sought to move beyond technology to explore new collaborative organizational models to unite libraries, archives, and museums across the state and region in achieving new shared and affordable solutions to preserve our cultural memory. Project research and deliverables include a Collaboration Toolkit, data from a statewide survey regarding digital preservation practice and organizational needs, and project white papers on community governance and the project’s final symposium. You can find these and other project outputs on the Research page.

A guiding principle of the project that continues to resonate with the MDPN’s mission – “Building bridges with trusted partners! Learning from what already works!“

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

PROJECT PARTNERS

• Grand Valley State University Libraries
• The Library of Michigan
• Michigan Council of Library Directors
• Michigan Academic Library Association
• Michigan Archival Association
• Michigan Museums Association
• Michigan DPLA Service Hub
• Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
• Digital Library Federation
• National Digital Stewardship Alliance

PROJECT CONSULTANTS

• Alabama Digital Preservation Network (ADPNet)
• Digital Virginias
• Educopia Institute
• Historically Black Colleges & Universities Library Alliance (HBCU LA)
• Indiana Digital Preservation Network (InDiPres)
• Minitex (University of Minnesota Digital Library)
• OhioLINK
• Ontario Council of University Libraries / Council of Pacific and Prairie Libraries
• Recollection Wisconsin (WiLS)
• Texas Digital Library (TDL)