Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
February 21, 2008 issue
University Archives To Digitize Historical Photographs
Story by Garrett Simmons
Appalachian State University is currently developing a comprehensive digital collection of photographs spanning the school’s history from 1903 to the early 1980s. More than 7,000 photographs documenting university development, athletics, faculty and staff, academic departments and local events are being remastered for inclusion in an online searchable database.
The photographs are part of a project headed by University Archives and Records in the Carol Grotnes Belk Library and Information Commons that will be completed in June 2009. The project includes an Appalachian historical timeline, interactive maps of historical and current campus buildings, and links to K-12 resources for teachers.
The digitization process began in June 2007, when Archives and Records was awarded a N.C. ECHO (Exploring Cultural Heritage Online) Digitization Grant. The $38,100 grant is administered through the North Carolina State Library with support from the federal Library Services and Technology Act. It will fund computers, scanning equipment, furniture and staff needed to complete the project.
Pam Mitchem, university librarian, said, “The digitization of these photographs is important to preserving Appalachian’s history. Before digitization, anyone interested in these photographs would have to request to see the original proofs. Now they will be readily available to everyone.”
In addition to their improved availability, many of the photographs will be identified for the first time. Metadata archivist Amy Shope is researching each image and documenting its origin. The project web page will also include a feature allowing users to comment on any unidentifiable images.
Such images make the task of untangling Appalachian’s history even more ambitious. Project success relies not only on the ECHO grant, but on the help of faculty and alumni as well. Mitchem said, “Appalachian has changed incredibly since it first began. Many of the photographs can be identified by the people who witnessed the changes first hand.”
Digitization of the photographs is estimated to be a two-year project, with the final 4,000 images scheduled for addition during the second year. Mitchem said, “Our goal is to tell the story of ASU as an important piece of this region’s history. It is a remarkable story of singular importance, and these photographs help to tell it.”
For more information about the Appalachian State University Historical Photograph Digitization Project and links to already digitized photographs, click to www.contentdm.library.appstate.edu, or contact Pam Mitchem at pricemtchemp@appstate.edu or 828-262-7422.