Vindicating Evidences of Black Achievement & History: Onsite Digitization at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

FAIN: ZPA-283736-22

New York Public Library (New York, NY 10016-0109)
Brent Reidy (Project Director: May 2021 to September 2023)
Joy Bivins (Co Project Director: December 2021 to September 2023)

The creation of two digital photography specialist positions and the retention of one digitization coordinator to support a new digital imaging studio at the New York Public Library to expand its digitized collection of African-American, African, and African diasporic materials. 

The New York Public Library (NYPL) requests funding from the NEH American Rescue Plan to: 1) support the creation of a new satellite Digital Imaging Unit at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; 2) create two temporary full-time staff positions to facilitate the photography of collection items for digitization; and 3) provide salary support for an existing Schomburg staff member who will spend the majority of their time on this effort. This project will dramatically increase the Library’s ability to provide responsive, on-demand digitization of the Schomburg Center’s collection, which illuminates the lives of many of the figures who worked to form “A More Perfect Union.” The project is a significant investment in the work to render Black Lives visible.