1) Ensure relentless innovation with each iteration of funding – so that extra value is added to the collection with every new volume or set of collections that is added. This could be Web2.0 technologies (i.e. allowing online peer review, or Wiki transcriptions) or improving exposure via federated searching Z39.50 or harvesting technologies like OAI

Other innovative ideas could include building some of the content into e-learning packages, or exposing the content with an API – allowing for scholars to experiment with it. On the same tack, a Virtual Research Environment could be developed to help discuss and research the content

2) Exploring new sets of users with each iteration of funding. Too many digitisation projects categorise their users too simplistically – researchers, undergrads, teachers and the general public. Breaking down these chunks into more sophisticated groups can give greater rationale for digitisation, showing how the content will directly appeal to that group’s needs.

3) Come up with devastating metrics to show usage and impact. There’s no crystal clear idea of how to judge the impact of digital resources, but if you could develop and test that methodology and use it as evidence of the importance of continued digitisation, then that is likely to wow potential funders.

In every case, the funder’s ego has to be massaged – showing how the funding body is making such an essential contribution to the project despite the presence of many other funders.

Alison Pearn