Sisyphus and the Digital Library: Keep Rolling that Boulder up the Hill (careful, it's heavy)

Authors

Ruth E. Bryan, University of Kentucky LibrariesFollow
Sarah Dorpinghaus, University of Kentucky
Megan M. Mummey, University of Kentucky Libraries

Abstract

Oftentimes, archivists and programmers feel like Sisyphus of Greek myth, continually rolling our boulder, the digital library, up the hill of stakeholder expectations. Since 1998, the University of Kentucky Libraries has provided online access to digital and digitized archival content through ExploreUK.uky.edu and other sites. Like many other institutions, UK Libraries has faced technological, organizational, and communication challenges in this endeavor. This presentation explores how UK Libraries responded to these challenges by expanding the decision-making team, after years of unclear responsibility and ownership, to reinvigorate internal interest and investment in the local digital library system and workflows.

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

6-11-2025

Notes/Citation Information

Best Practices Exchange, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina

Funding Information 

University of Kentucky CURATE grant, 2025-2026.

Repository Citation

Bryan, Ruth E.; Dorpinghaus, Sarah; and Mummey, Megan M., "Sisyphus and the Digital Library: Keep Rolling that Boulder up the Hill (careful, it's heavy)" (2025). Library Presentations. 284.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/libraries_present/284