Creating a living online history with photos is a big project for Jasper Public Library
A grant awarded to the Jasper Public Library is making it easier for residents to not only learn more about their family history but also contribute to the state’s archives as well.
Through the funding of Indiana’s Library Services and Technology Act, the Jasper library’s genealogy program will be partnering with Indiana Memory, a statewide digital library, to bring the history of the county to life through the memories of its families. This will be the first database concentrating on Dubois County in the Indiana Memory program.
Erin Doyle, an assistant at the library since 2008, prepared the grant and is leading the way in bringing the project to life. Doyle said the catalyst for applying for the grant, totaling more than $4000, came from the intense interest in the library’s genealogy services both locally and nationally.
Doyle has assisted visitors from New York to Georgia and as far away as Hawaii. “We get people from all over the country visiting the Jasper library in order to view the collection of photos, reference books, and microfilm.” She stated.
Since receiving the grant from Geek the Library, a dedicated computer, scanner, and mounted camera have been purchased. This equipment is being used to digitize the old photos being brought in by Dubois County residents.
The library is receiving many different types of photos. School photos from old single room schools that populated Dubois County over 100 years ago. Posed wedding photos and family photos are also very popular so far.
“We have received all kinds of pictures.” Doyle explained. “I love seeing images that aren’t posed. Images of people just doing things are rare from the turn of the 19th century.”
With the new equipment Doyle can scan old photos, slides, negatives, and even photos kept in frames.
“We want to be able to scan photos kept in frames for their protection and that is what the mounted camera is for.” Doyle stated.
A website that is attached to the statewide project is also being developed. The url http://www.duboiscountyhistory.org has already been purchased although it isn’t active yet. Doyle states that it is only a matter of configuring the site to make it available online and the goal is to offer individuals the ability to scroll through all of these old photos online.
The library plans to transfer the equipment to the Ferdinand Branch in February to allow residents in that area to bring their old photos in for scanning. The equipment will stay there for about three months and then be transferred to the Dubois Branch and then the goal is to allow the museum and historic preservation societies access to the scanning equipment.
Another aspect of the project will bring a personalized element to Indiana history education for local fourth-grade students. Because of accessibility of the digital format, Doyle will be preparing teachers to use the website to access the database. Packets of information are “forthcoming,” she states, as the library wants to make sure the guide illustrates how to integrate the website into the state’s social studies standards.
“We’re hoping this will encourage school teachers to use this because it’s a primary source (of historic information),” Doyle explained.
In addition to the scanning equipment the library has also purchased a touchscreen computer. This computer will be provided to the Dubois County Museum where visitors can access the online database directly from the museum.
Now Doyle is simply collecting photos and categorizing them so they are searchable in the database. The process is simple but time-consuming. Individuals bring their photos into the library and fill out descriptive cards for each photo. The library will use this information to document the photos by name, category, time frame, and even events. This will provide the backbone for the website to allow visitors to find the photos they are interested.
The next photos to file days are Jan. 26 and Jan. 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
