Louisiana Digital Newspaper Project, Phase One

FAIN: PJ-50050-09

Louisiana State University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, LA 70803-0001)
Elaine B. Smyth (Project Director: November 2008 to August 2011)
Gina R. Costello (Project Director: August 2011 to April 2016)

Funding details:
Original grant (2009) $351,380.00
Supplement (2011) $285,000.00
Supplement (2013) $189,711.24

The digitization of 100,000 pages of Louisiana newspapers, dating from 1860-1922, as part of the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

The Louisiana State University Libraries propose a project to digitize (from microfilm and original issues) and make freely available 100,000 pages of Louisiana newspapers published between 1860 and 1922, as part of the National Digital Newspaper Program. This 62-year span includes some of the most tumultuous periods in the state's history, from secession and the Civil War, through Reconstruction and the reactionary backlash that followed it, the institutionalization of segregation in the "Jim Crow" laws, and the development of the oil and gas industries early in the 20th century. The LSU Libraries have been microfilming Louisiana newspapers since the 1940s and hold the majority of master negative microfilm of Louisiana newspapers in existence; some important master microfilm is also held by ProQuest. The project will employ a Project Manager and a Graduate Assistant, in addition to Libraries staff who have previously participated in successful grant-supported digitization projects.