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STHC-L: The Science, Technology and Health Care Archives Forum
[Previous Posting] [Next Posting] Northwest Digital Archives (NWDA) awarded NEH grant
Apologies for cross-postings. NEH to Provide Support for Continued Development of the Northwest Digital Archives 4-5-05 The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded the Oregon State University Libraries $300,000 for continued development and expansion of the Northwest Digital Archives (NWDA). The NWDA provides integrated access to regionally significant archival and manuscript materials in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington through a union database of Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids available online at: nwda.wsulibs.wsu.edu. Oregon State University Libraries will continue to be the lead institution for the project and Washington State University will host and provide the technical infrastructure for the finding aids database. Many of the participating institutions lie within the Columbia River watershed, giving the records they hold a geographic unity that extends beyond the borders of the individual states. Significant subject commonalities include the major economic forces in the region - agriculture, forest products, fisheries, and natural resources; urban and rural social and progressive movements; local, state, regional, and national politics; outdoor recreation; Native American language and culture; and the place of religious communities in the region. In many ways, the separate collections at the participating institutions represent one massive interrelated collection that documents the political, cultural, and natural history of the Northwest region. "We are very excited to continue playing a lead role in the Northwest Digital Archives" stated University Librarian Karyle Butcher. "It compliments the OSU Libraries' commitment to enhancing access to information through digital technology. The collaborative aspect of the Northwest Digital Archives is also very important as we look to maximize resources by partnering with other institutions." The 2-year project (to begin July 1, 2005) will build on the strong foundation established by initial funding awarded by NEH to the OSU Libraries for establishment of the consortium in July 2002. As of early April 2005, the NWDA database includes 2,385 finding aids describing archival collections at 16 repositories. The new NEH funding will support the addition of at least five new institutions to the consortium and a minimum of 1,600 finding aids to the NWDA database from a minimum of sixteen institutions (five new and eleven continuing). Participating institutions include the Idaho State Historical Society (new); Montana Historical Society; the University of Montana; City of Portland Archives (new); Oregon Historical Society; Oregon State University; University of Oregon; Center for Pacific Northwest Studies at Western Washington University; Eastern Washington State Historical Society (new); Gonzaga University (new); Pacific Lutheran University; Seattle Museum of History and Industry (new); University of Washington; Washington State Archives (6 branches); Washington State University; and Whitworth College. A consortium administrator will oversee training; coordinate and monitor the work of the participating institutions and the data conversion contractor and submission of finding aids to the database; implement procedure and policy decisions made by the NWDA Executive Committee; and coordinate dissemination activities. A data conversion contractor will provide initial encoding of approximately 1,300 finding aids and a minimum of 300 finding aids will be encoded directly by staff at participating institutions. The NWDA will continue its work with the Online Archive of California (OAC) to explore creation of tools and the means for creating a union search interface across consortia. The NWDA leadership will work closely with its advisory board and a consultant to develop a long-term business plan to provide sustainability for the consortium. Larry Landis continues as the Consortium Director; questions about the NWDA can be directed to him at larry.landis@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-0540. ____________________________________________________________ STHC-L - Science, Technology, and Health Care Archives Forum STHC-L@lists.ucla.edu http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/sthc-l STHC-L@lists.ucla.edu STHC-L Archives -- Main Index STHC-L Archives -- 2005 Message Index |