Community-based Research Grant Presentation 24...
Transcript of Community-based Research Grant Presentation 24...
Community-based Research GrantPresentation
24 April 2014
The project team
J. Stephen CatlettDigital Project Manager, University Libraries, UNCG
David GwynnDigital Projects Coordinator, University Libraries, UNCG
Megan CokerGraduate Student, MA, History with a Concentration in Museum Studies
Rachel SandersSenior Undergraduate Student, History
The project team
Megan Coker in Digital Projects
Rachel Sanders in Special Collections and Archives
Digital history projects
Pittsburgh
Denver
Digital history projects
Projects at UNCG
Projects at UNCG
Projects at UNCG
Projects at UNCG
Projects at UNCG
Projects at UNCG
CBR Project Goals
• Assess the needs of local groups to determine how best to preserve and share archival materials
• Develop strategies and “best practices” to preserve these materials in the field using digital cameras and other cost-effective, user-friendly systems.
• Disseminate this new content to the public.• Share “how-to” materials with community partners.• Build relationships and move toward the goal of a
true community history web portal.
College Place United Methodist Church Archives
First Steps
Initial meeting, September 12
First Steps
Selecting materials to digitize
First Steps
Organizing and preparing
Selecting cameras to use
The Initial Process
$100 $650 $1600
In The Field
Setting up a camera
In The Field
Documenting location, date, camera & item
In The Field
Squaring and centering
In The Lab
Flatbed scanners yield much better digitized products
Their disadvantage is in positioning bound volumes
ChallengesLighting
Optimal lighting at College Place Church was found in a children’s classroom. Windows faced north, with more even illumination.
Another advantage of the children’s room? Very short tables … great for copying height … more challenging for the team !
ChallengesLighting
Overhead fluorescent lighting in Lindley Elementary media center created major issues with glare (see bottom left)
Compare, at left, to holding camera by hand in a dark corner. Glare minimized, but even illumination was a challenge.
ChallengesKeeping Items Flat
Using fingers Using pointers
Using a piece of glass
ChallengesKeeping equipment stable
Duct tape is one inexpensive solution
Camera vs. Scanner
Flatbed scanners: Slower, with better quality scans Digital Cameras: Faster, but quality depends on camera & technique
Quality Comparison
OCR Quality
Nikon camera
OCR Quality
Sony camera
OCR Quality
Epson scanner
Digitization Examples
Minute Book Spring Garden Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 1916-1930
Fuji camera
Digitization Examples
Price Class
Memories
Epson scanner
Digitization Examples
Architectural Plans and Elevations. Harry Barton, 1919
Sony camera
Digitization Examples
Community Outreach
81 local groups and organizations were solicited to participate in an online survey
and a meeting at CPUMC.
Community Outreach
Preserving Local History Blog
Community Outreach
November 19th
meeting at
CPUMC
Results
81 Solicitations (61 email & 20snail mail)
17 Responses (21%)
Preserving Local History Survey
Results
Stored different places
Stored together
Stored off-site
No storage/system
Poor condition/in needof attention
What is the current storage situation and condition of your historical materials?
Results
Infrequently
Seldom
Very seldom
Frequently
Regularly
How often does your organization use your historical materials, e.g. in programs, at ceremonies or celebrations?
Results
No
Yes
Somewhat
Have you already digitized (scanned) any materials?
Results
Yes
Maybe
Would your organization welcome the opportunity to work with and get assistance from area colleges or universities, or other public institutions, to assist you in addressing these needs or issues?
Results
Maybe
No
Yes
Do you have youth in your organization whomight be interested in learning how to preserve your organization's history in a digital format?
Results
Yes
Maybe/Somewhat
No
Do you see value in making your history, or selections of it, available to a wider community audience?
Results
Photos
Correspondence
Pamphlets
Other types
Deeds/Marriage certificates
Artifacts
Architectural plans
If so, what types of material would you choose to share?
Results
What plans, if any, have you made for making this material more accessible to your own group, organization, or constituency?
• Initial stages of planning• Housed in one room/not catalogued.• Not easily open for review for lack of interest.• None, but working on a church history that reference items.• Organized, catalogued, are stored in archival containers.• Currently trying to inventory the boxes, just to know what we have. • Recently held our 85th birthday party and displayed all the materials
we have onsite. • Greensboro College placed some of our materials on CD’s &
recorded some oral histories of members
Lessons Learned
• Email survey solicitations should have been followed up, within a week, by phone calls
• Five charity drawings ($250 total) were not that effective in increasing participation, but worthy grant expense
• There is a definite interest (at least by the responding groups) for assistance in preserving their historical materials, both physically and digitally
• Large majority of participants see the value in sharing their history
Going Forward
• Digitizing additional material of groups/organizations, e.g.West Market Street Methodist Church Kirkwood Neighborhood First Presbyterian Church Providence Baptist ChurchNeese’s Country Sausage
•
• A “how to/best practices” in-the-field camera capture guide
• Potential IMLS Sparks! Ignition Grant, Young Achievers DGHi (Digitizing Greensboro History) Explorers Program in partnership with Hayes-Taylor YMCA
• Hands-on workshops on “self service” camera digitization, including simple descriptive metadata instructions
• Community Collections:http://libcdm1.uncg.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/Community
• Digital Projects Blog:http://uncgdigital.blogspot.com/
• Contact:
• David: [email protected]
Questions?