The document discusses the benefits of digitizing local history collections at the Wakefield library. Digitizing photographs, postcards, artwork, calendars, maps, and new photographs creates searchable online archives that preserve history, save storage space, and make materials accessible to local patrons and remote users. Community input is encouraged. Projects include digitizing over 1,000 historic images and items, as well as starting a local history wiki.

1. DIGITAL HISTORY IN WAKEFIELD It’s not that hard! You don’t need to do it all at once Content is available for staff Available for local patrons Available for remote patrons Creates an archive for future historians Digital images save storage space Digital images reduce wear and tear on originals Available in NOBLE Digital Library and Mass. Digital Commonwealth Encourages community input and interest in local history Cool for the library’s image

2. Historic Photographs Encourages community input Preserves originals Available for current reference needs Archive for future historians Single Photograph Multiple Photographs Added Content to Book Record Historic photographs mostly from late 19 th century to early 20 th century About 60 images, including images in books EXAMPLES ADVANTAGES

3. Postcard Collection Encourages community input Representative of art genre Available for current reference needs Archive for future historians Digital images save storage space Historic postcards from late 19 th century to 1960s About 250 images, including library images and gifts EXAMPLES ADVANTAGES Library Owned Postcard Donated Postcard Pleasure Island Postcard Recent Postcard

4. Library Artwork Fully searchable cataloging Available for current reference needs Inventory with building locations Shows items in storage Dillaway Library History Painting Ugly Lucius Beebe Painting 1852 Payro Painting Cram & Ferguson Sketch of Library L'Amour a l'arc 38 framed works of art and one sculpture Project is completed EXAMPLES ADVANTAGES

5. Light Dept. Calendars Good cross section of subjects Text transcribed into fully searchable notes Forms a sort of online encyclopedia Available for current reference needs Good for non-resident staff Entry With Single Photo Entry With Multiple Photos Keyword Search (Post Office) ) Date Search (1993) 20 years of calendars with historic images and text One bib record per month Approximately 300 records - Project is almost completed EXAMPLES ADVANTAGES

6. Maps Full searchable cataloging Available for current reference needs Images available without going to map storage Historic map of South Reading Aerial View – 1882 Town Atlas Map – 1874 Topographic Map Current and historic maps 79 maps, ranging from late 18 th century to present Not yet digitized – will have to contract out scanning work EXAMPLES ADVANTAGES

7. New Photographs Control over content Control over usage rights Available for current reference needs Archive for future historians Historic homes - Benjamin Wiley house Memorials - Civil War Monument Reference Info - Pierpont headstone Scenery - Old Burying Ground Urban Change - Montrose drive-in New digital images of local sites of interest About 60 records so far – Project is ongoing EXAMPLES ADVANTAGES

8. Local History Wiki Control over content Community input Available for current reference needs Archive for future historians " Wakipedia " “ Wakipedia” – local history wiki of current and historic topics About 40 articles so far – Project is ongoing EXAMPLES ADVANTAGES