From Boxes to Bytes: Foundations for Digitisation and Digital Asset Care

This hands-on workshop introduces the basics and helps you start building a practical plan for caring for your digital collections.

An Introduction to Caring for Your Digital Assets

📅 13 February 2026
🕙 10:00am – 12:00pm

Are you responsible for managing digital files connected to your collection? Do you have digital files connected to your collection and are not quite sure what to do with them? You're not alone.

This introductory workshop is designed to help you understand the foundations of caring for and managing digital assets - without needing to be a technical expert. It’s ideal for anyone just starting out, as well as those looking to build on existing knowledge and practices.

What you’ll learn

This workshop introduces key concepts in digital asset management and provides practical guidance you can apply in your own organisation.

What to expect

The session combines a short presentation with hands-on activities in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Presentation topics include:

• Commonly used digital asset management terminology
• The fundamentals of digitisation
• How to plan for a digitisation project
• Best-practice approaches to planning, organising and caring for digital material
• An overview of readily available tools, resources, policies, and procedures

Practical session:

• Review any existing digitisation or digital asset plans (if you have them)
• Begin developing a digitisation plan with guidance and peer support
• Learn from real-world examples and shared experiences across the room

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Explain key terms used in managing digital information
• Understand the difference between digital collection items, supporting digital records, and business records
• Demonstrate an understanding of best-practice approaches to digital asset management
• Understand the importance of a digital asset management plan and supporting procedures
• Identify tools and resources to assist with digitisation and digital asset care
• Make more informed decisions around the lifecycle of a digital asset

What to bring

• A laptop or device that allows you to edit a Word document
• Any policies, procedures or plans related to digitisation of your collection or that support the management of your digital assets

Target audience

This session is suitable for participants at all stages of their learning journey — whether you’re just getting started or looking to refresh and deepen your knowledge.

It’s ideal for:

• Foundational learners
• Mid-career professionals seeking a refresher
• Anyone wanting a clearer understanding of digital assets and their management

The theory covered in this session is relevant across a wide range of disciplines, including (but not limited to):

• Museums
• Galleries
• Archives
• Local studies libraries
• Schools and other educational institutions
• Businesses seeking to preserve their records and organisational history
• Community groups managing memorabilia or historical records

Good to know

• Places are strictly limited to 20 participants due to venue capacity. Keeping numbers small allows for a more interactive and impactful learning experience.
• If demand is high, an additional session may be scheduled.
• Online attendance is not available for this session; however, there may be other opportunities to participate in the program in the future.

Going Public: Collections Clinics are practical, peer-supported workshops for Collections WA contributors and anyone looking to increase access to their collections online.

Each workshop moves from presentation to hands-on practice, enabling participants to implement, refine, or develop their own work in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Places are capped at 20 participants to allow for in-depth discussion, shared learning, and individual support.

Transport & Parking

Parking

There is no car parking available at the Centre.

The closest paid public car parking is available at the City of Perth Fire Station and Pier Street car parks.

For more information, including ACROD parking, head to the Visit Perth website.

Public transport

Train: The Centre is within close walking distance from Perth, Perth Underground and McIver train stations.

Bus: It is a slightly longer walk from the Wellington Street and Elizabeth Quay bus stations to the Centre. A free transit zone operates within the City of Perth boundaries, allowing free travel on any bus within the City of Perth.

We can also be reached via the free Red CAT bus. Disembark at the Royal Perth Hospital (Stop 26) which is a stop after you pass the Centre on your right.

To plan your journey, you can visit the Transperth website.

View the Heritage Centres website for further details.

Venue

Perth’s Old Central Fire Station Heritage Centre

Explore more than 125 years of firefighting history at the Old Central Fire Station Heritage Centre. Perth’s first purpose-built fire station, this heritage-listed landmark offers a fascinating glimpse into Western Australia’s heroic past.

Visit the Heritage Centre’s website for further details.