Membership in Digital Scriptorium (DS) is an investment in linking resources among member institutions and out into the global linked data environment to advance knowledge of and access to unique manuscript witnesses of the world’s shared intellectual and cultural heritage housed in North American collections. Through its open and freely accessible online catalog built on Linked Open Data principles and technologies, DS connects researchers around the world to member collections and promotes a network of scholarship shared among participating institutions. Membership is open to all North American institutions holding a collection or collections of premodern manuscripts, no matter the size.
DS has three categories of membership: Members, Non-Voting Associates, and Supporting Members
Members are institutions who pay annual dues and are committed to active involvement in the governance and management of DS, including attendance at the annual meeting and serving on the Board of Directors.
Non-Voting Associates are institutions who, based on certain metrics described below, do not pay dues and do not participate in governance. Non-Voting Associates are encouraged to participate in and benefit from the ongoing activities of DS, including the annual meeting.
Member Institutions may elect to become Supporting Members by paying an amount higher than their calculated dues and/or contributing staff time to the maintenance and management of the technical platform.
DS gratefully acknowledges these Supporting Members:
- Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley
- Beinecke Library, Yale University
- Columbia University
- Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin
- Houghton Library, Harvard University
- Princeton University Library
- University of Pennsylvania Libraries
Dues Calculation
Regular Membership dues range from $500 to $2000 are calculated according to a weighted fee schedule that assigns scores for each institution based on these parameters:
1. Materials Budget 2. Student Body 3. Number of Manuscripts
For institutions without students, the Student Body score is by default set to the lowest score, which works in the institution’s favor. This system means that DS requires no annual fee from about 1/3 of our participating institutions, although institutions that do not pay dues are considered Associates (not Members) and do not have voting privileges. Membership fees are applied to the management of the DS catalog, website, and membership services. The expenses for meetings, including travel and lodging for the Board of Directors, are funded respectively by the member institutions of each board member. DS maintains an investment fund that depends wholly on voluntary contributions from donors. See our Investment Policy for the purpose, objectives, and spending guidelines for our investment fund.