對擁有善本書籍、手稿珍藏、檔案資料之類的館藏的機構而言，數位化大概可說是其基於館藏維護與推廣利用的目的所最普遍使用的資料型式轉換方式。在資料數位化之後，典藏機構亦通常會考慮建置資料庫。因此，於數位化進行之初，一些可能影響未來資料庫運作的因素，均應事先加以考慮並作妥善規劃。此外，由於所將數位化的素材在尺寸大小、資料本身狀況等方面都可能有所差異，用以進行數位化的機器與方式也必須因應資料不同特性之需而作選擇。本文即在探討下列與數位化計晝的實務相關的主題：數位化作業必要的前置作業、資料數位化的各種方式、為各種不同類型資料選擇適用的掃描機器、考量建置資料庫之需而作的特殊設計如訂定適用的檔案命名規範、建置完整的「詮釋資料」 (Metadata) 的途徑、儲存媒體 的維護、保存數位化檔案所必要的環境控制與設備等。本文並強調對此等課題均應善巧規劃，以保障數位化計畫得以成功達成任務。

For those institutions that house a collection of rare books, manuscripts, or archives, digitization may be the most common way to convert document format for the purposes of preservation and promotion. After the documents have been digitized, it is quite normal to consider establishing a database. The factors that will affect the operation of a database, therefore, should be taken into consideration beforehand. In addition, as the materials to be digitized may vary in size and physical condition, the machinery and methods used to do digitization should meet differing needs arising out of the individual characters of documents. This paper covers the following topics related to the practice of a digitization project: tasks that should be undertaken before digitization begins, different approaches in converting documents into digital files, selection of scanners for different kinds of materials, special designs in association with the establishment of a database such as file name format, options in the completion of complete METADATA information for each item digitized, special care for the storage media, environmental control and facilities necessary for the conservation of the digital archives, etc. Strategic planning for the aspects stated above is emphasized to ensure the success of a digitization project.