Digital Special Collections Policy for Yale Special Collections

The following policy outlines the minimum requirements and best practices for access to Digital Special

Collections at Yale University Library, via Aviary and the Digital Collections System (DCS). Emulation as a

Service Infrastructure (EaaSI) is also referenced occasionally where appropriate. Primarily, this policy

governs the minimum requirements that must be met for any digital objects from Yale Special

Collections added to Aviary, DCS or EaaSI. Secondly, while not requirements, the best practices outlined

in this policy are what all Yale Special Collection units should strive to meet for digital objects they add

to Aviary, DCS or EaaSI.

Underpinning this policy is a guiding principle of providing sustainable, ethical, and repeatable access to

high-quality digital surrogates and born digital content. Access to digital special collections content must

be part of a broader stewardship model for all digital content in the library’s collections. This level of

intentionality is important as digital collections access is an ongoing commitment, not just a short-term

goal. Yale University Library can ensure perpetual access to digital collections content by focusing on

intentional digital stewardship.

This policy does not address how digital special collections work is done practically. Instead, it outlines

requirements to guide decision-making and to ensure consistency of practice across Yale Special

Collections, in relation to digital special collections.