Enhancing access to Ukrainian history and cultural heritage through preservation, digitization, and online content

FAIN: PB-275233-20

Ukrainian History and Education Center, Inc. (Somerset, NJ 08873-1358)
Michael Andrec (Project Director: May 2020 to August 2021)

The restoration from furlough of the center’s professional archivist, who would perform core reference services, continue work of digitally reformatting audio recordings, and develop virtual exhibitions, webinars, and podcasts to increase use of the collections.

This project will fund the continuing preservation and accessibility of the Ukrainian History and Education Center’s collections and the creation of online programming through the resumption of work by the UHEC’s furloughed archivist. In addition to routine archives management and reference services, he will complete the rollout of a new digital audio portal on the Center’s website, resume at-home audio digitization work, and develop online resources and public programming derived from the UHEC’s archives and museum collections. The loss of the UHEC’s sole archivist due to the impact of the pandemic has been a major impediment for the institution, as he was the primary person responsible for the UHEC’s humanities-related activities. NEH CARES funding will allow him to resume this work, and will also allow the development of new approaches to connect the public with the UHEC’s collections and expertise, thereby helping to maintain and expand the UHEC’s donor base.