The summit was a unique event that brought together archival, library and museum professionals together with representatives from the community that use digital tools to preserve and provide access to Manitoba’s cultural heritage. Summit participants and speakers all agreed that digitization is very important to the Library, Archival and Museum sectors and for the most part there was agreement that Manitoba should move forward with a digitization strategy.
Recommendations from speakers, panelists, break out group participants and summit evaluations all focused on similar themes. These broad themes include the need to have a coordinating body, a Manitoba portal, a way to do digitization once and do it right and a need for resources to develop standards and provide various training around digitization.

Participants said the summit was excellent and think the steering committee did a good job and should continue their important work.

In a practical sense the steering committee needs to consider both short and long-term issues and actions.

Forming a Digital Alliance

• Develop terms of reference and procedures for a digital alliance
• Ensure effective organizational representation and clarify the roles and responsibilities for individuals and organizations represented in the alliance
• Determine how each organization in the alliance participates and what their internal processes are for approving activities and financial support
• Convene further information and training events, including a second digitization summit in February 2009 based on training needs identified by participants and elicit feedback on big picture items
• Create an alliance web site that promotes digitization standards, training, communication amongst alliance members, and promotes effective discovery tools
• Develop of a multi-year strategic plan
• Develop communications and fundraising initiatives.