Test Posting

Now that the grant application has been submitted, I intend to devote more attention to this blog and use it to update everyone on some projects we can work on between now and when the grant recipients are announced in the spring.

Grant Update and Library Funding

Dear Partners,
It has been awhile since I provided an update. The LSTA grant application, which involves federal money administered by Commonwealth Libraries in Harrisburg, is not due until early September, but given the intensity of the application and the nature of summer (vacations etc.), I am trying to get a head start. The people who evaluate the applications want to make sure that the applicant knows what is involved in a project like this so the application asks for a lot of detailed information. As a result, I have been in touch with
vendors, our consultants from Lyrasis, and Kristen at the University of Scranton (Thanks, Kristen!) about issues like scanner types, file size, bit depth, and metadata creation.

There is one issue that I would like to alert you about with the understanding that many of you are having your own problems. On the library’s web site is some information about proposed cuts in state funding for libraries.In this statement, mention is made of lost LSTA dollars. This is the money that would fund our grant so it would be appreciated if, while you and your supporters are communicating with legislators and other contacts at the state level, you can put in a good word for libraries. I would be happy to return the favor if you can provide some specific information on the kind of cuts you are facing.

Anyway, the application process is ongoing. As the summer progresses, I may need some additional information from some of you. If this is the case, I will give you plenty of advance notice. As always, thank you for your interest and cooperation.

Remick Report Now Available

The report from Tom Clareson of Lyrasis on the Remick facility is now available on our Wiki:

http://lackawannadigital.pbwiki.com

It can be found under Documents. It is called Remicks Report.

Remick Facility Update

On Friday several of us looked at the Remick's facility with Tom Clareson from Palinet (now Lyrasis). Tom will be preparing a formal report. I will share it with all of you once it becomes available.

Email Discussion List and Palinet Visit Update

In addition to our blog and wiki, I have created an email discussion list that will allow us to share information on local digitization projects. If you want to post a message, just send an email to lackawannadigital@listserv.albright.org. You will be able to reply to any email that was posted to the list and everyone will be able to read it and respond. If you would like someone added to the list, just let me know.

Here is an update for you: Tom Clareson from Palinet will be visiting the region on Friday, April 4th. He is currently looking over the lists some of you submitted for our first project, “The Development and Industrialization of Northeastern Pennsylvania 1850-1865” and may need to physically examine some of the items. If he does need to look at them, I will be in touch with you to schedule a brief visit on that day.

Visit by Tom Clareson

Tom Clareson from Palinet will visit our area on April 3rd, 2009 to assist with the grant application and possibly examine some of the items. We are looking forward to his visit.

Project Update

We have received lists of possible items from the Anthracite Heritage Museum, the Lackawanna Historical Society, and the Albright Memorial Library. You can view these lists in the Documents folder of our project wiki. We are expecting additional lists from other partners and have begun the grant application process. The Library Services and Technology Act application is not due until September, but it will take some time to determine the costs of digitizing such a diverse diverse selection of documents, photos, and artifacts. It is shaping up to be an exciting project!