Community History & Digitization

FAIN: ZDH-283305-22

Boston Public Library Fund, Inc. (Boston, MA 02116-2813)
Dory Klein (Project Director: May 2021 to present)

The examination and digitization of community-based archival collections as part of resuming full implementation of a Community History & Digitization project interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Boston Public Library’s Community History & Digitization project will identify, digitize, preserve, and contextualize community-based archival collections for inclusion in the Boston Research Center. These community archives would then be made accessible to the public via pilot programs, exhibits, and workshops aligned with community-identified priorities. As one of the most trusted public institutions in the City of Boston with existing infrastructure for community-based programming, the Library’s role in this project is to convene a series of public meetings and events at select branch libraries through which community input could be solicited and acted upon, and to develop programming and supporting materials for ongoing community use in conjunction with Boston Research Center’s content platform. This proposal seeks funding for staff positions and for activities related to in-person digital humanities work that can be resumed as the City of Boston begins reopening in January 2022.