Cornell
University Library and HBCU Library Alliance Awarded Collaborative
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant To Create Digital Library
Ithaca,
NY
(BlackNews.com) - Cornell University Library has been awarded
a $400,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to partner
with the Historically Black College and Universities Library
Alliance in a digital collections production initiative that
will lay the foundation for a future HBCU digital library.
During the course of the grant, librarians at Cornell University,
led by principal investigator Peter Hirtle, will train HBCU
librarians and archivists in techniques of digital imaging.
They will also assist in the development of management strategies
and policies needed for the development of a collaborative
digital library. HBCU participants, with the assistance of
project manager Ira Revels, will then implement their training
by digitizing and making available on institutional websites
a wide variety of records reflecting the history of HBCUs.
Ten
four-year institutions are participating in the initial
phase of the project. They are Alabama State University,
Atlanta University Center, Bennett College for Women,
Fisk University, Grambling State University, Hampton
University, Southern University, Tuskegee University,
Tennessee State University, and Virginia State University.
These institutions were selected based upon a combination
of institutional commitment to the project, the richness
of their holdings that speak to the legacy of HBCUs,
previous participation in the HBCU Archives Institute,
and geographical and institutional diversity.
Cornell University Librarian, Sarah E. Thomas comments,
"This program enables the Cornell University Library
to share its digital library experience with the HBCU
Alliance librarians and to build on the foundation that
Anne Kenney, Associate University Librarian, and others
have laid in digital imaging and preservation workshops.
We are pleased to have the support of The Andrew W.
Mellon Foundation to extend the knowledge of best practices
into the larger community."
Loretta Parham, Chair of the HBCU Library Alliance Board
of Directors, noted, "This grant and the partnerships
fostered by it complement the purpose of the Alliance
and, most importantly, build upon the strengths and
legacies of HBCU institutions. Its another step forward
for all involved."
The HBCU Library Alliance is a consortium that supports
the collaboration of institutions dedicated to providing
an array of resources designed to strengthen the libraries
of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and
their constituents. The purpose of the HBCU Alliance
is to ensure the excellence in HBCU Libraries and the
development, coordination and promotion of programs
and activities to enhance member libraries.
Cornell University Library has a long history of success
in digital library development and in providing continuing
education programs. With funding from the National Endowment
for the Humanities, the library has produced and made
available in three languages a tutorial on digital imaging
(www.library.cornell.edu/preservation/tutorial),
and also offers workshops on digital preservation management
(www.library.cornell.edu/iris/dpworkshop).
Other partners in the project are the Southeastern Library
Network and the Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta
University Center. Both will work with the Cornell University
Library to provide administrative, staffing, and logistical
support for the initiative.
PRESS CONTACT: Ira Revels, Digital Projects Librarian,
607-255-1569, ir33@cornell.edu
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