Special Interest Group Archive: Digitization 4/9/2020

HRVH Users Group / Digitization SIG Meeting April 9, 2020

• Just as a reminder: Jen is available to help with digitization projects, online exhibits via Omeka, metadata, finding aids, etc.
  • jennifer@senylrc.org
  • 845-883-9065 x116
• How can files be sent electronically?
  • For those comfortable with CONTENTdm, Jen can provide you with the download information.
  • You can also add your metadata to a spreadsheet which can then be uploaded into CONTENTdm by Jen.
  • FIles can be shared in a variety of ways: via dropbox, Google Drive, or other cloud storage service. Files can also be uploaded directly to Southeastern’s server.
  • Contact Jen if you’re interested and she can help figure out a good workflow!

• Some issues people have been facing:
  • Very limited hours and funding.
  • No off-site server access.
  • No access to buildings / collections.

• Many people have been focusing on digital projects during this time, including digitization projects and history blog posts.
  • Blogging can be a good way to share resources if you don’t have access to your collections.
  • Hudson River Maritime Museum history blog: http://www.hrmm.org/history-blog

• Facebook can be a good way to help people feel engaged with libraries / cultural institutions. Local facebook groups are a good place to share resources, especially historical materials.
  • Newsletters and email blasts are also a good way to share resources with patrons.
  • Historic Huguenot Street has been creating regular social media posts & emailing members: https://www.facebook.com/HuguenotStreet/?ref=br_rs

• This is a good time to collaborate with schools and public libraries.
  • One historical society is creating a questionnaire for students as a way of documenting their experience. Their responses will then be added to the collection. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSXmtczuc5CzGi7hM1kD0rnuj7bqeAVm_MMQk_XfhnpwGT0g/viewform
  • Another suggestion was to create a historical scavenger hunt with kids to help them learn how to navigate digital collections.
  • One library is using DPLA to create a scavenger hunt.
  • Have students create a blog about their experiences during the pandemic.

• What software do people use for blogging?
  • Wordpress
  • Weebly

• A recent webinar by the SAA suggested using content that is already generated in new ways. This can be a way to go easy on yourself as you work from home.
  • The title of the SAA webinar was “Deriving Value from Collections in the Time of Corona”. The webinar recording is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhK2ww1_ZR8&feature=youtu.be.
  • One library is repurposing old blog posts into mini-exhibits via history pin. Moffat Library: https://www.historypin.org/en/person/62032
  • Polls on facebook of different historical photos (fun, light-hearted).
  • Can turn historical images into jigsaw puzzles using: https://www.jigsawplanet.com/
  • Social Media Bingo: https://www.kapwing.com/resources/how-to-make-a-custom-instagram-bingo-template/?fbclid=IwAR0vPO_LyTFszZAkPzAkF9MZqOylWhlUH6vjgRhkxOKdd1Mf879kItBmO

• Google Maps can be a way to record historical locations / landmarks.
  • Chatham Public Library used google maps as a way to record little free libraries throughout the town: http://chatham.lib.ny.us/2020/03/21/local-resources/
  • How to customize a google map: https://www.google.com/maps/about/mymaps/
  • Red Hook test “Then and Now” map: https://www.historicredhook.org/thenandnowmap

Google Doc version of the notes here: Notes from the 4/09/2020 meeting.