Starting a digitization program can be a daunting prospect for any library, whether it is of the large, well-funded variety or the small, shoestring-budget kind. The former may have the luxury of costly commercial software, dedicated programmers, and multiple librarians of various specializations, all of which can smooth the process. But what if one is a "lone wolf" digital librarian--project manager, collection developer, metadata creator, and web designer, all rolled into one--with a limited budget to boot? With creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to reach out for help, one can be well on the way to launching digital collections within a year--despite unforeseen roadblocks that may be encountered along the way. The author's experience as a new librarian has centered upon grappling with these issues. In this article, the author shares some learning lessons that may be helpful for other librarians who find themselves in a similar position, whether or not they have previous experience with digitization.