Our History, Digitized
How an important gift amplifies diverse voices and increases access to UIC's Library System Special Collections department
By Samus Haddad
“An idea, a protest, a march, a movement ... library digitization preserves the events of the past and transforms them for future impact.”
— Rhea Ballard-Thrower, Dean of Libraries
UNLOCKING ARCHIVE ACCESS
Rare books, manuscripts and historical papers have been tucked away for decades at the UIC Library System Special Collections department until now.
As primary sources for students and researchers at UIC and around the globe, these documents piece together our diverse and rich history.
So how has the UIC Library increased access to this significant archive?
ELECTRONIC EVOLUTIONS
Enter the Single Step Foundation Digital Imaging Studio, made possible by a generous gift from Herbert Paaren BS ’71, MS ’73, Ph.D. ’76 and Denise Marino.
Their investment in cutting-edge technology renders UIC’s preservation capabilities equivalent to the Smithsonian Institute and the Library of Congress.
In just days, a hidden rare tome becomes available to all at the click of a button.
State-of-the-art digital cameras improve the integrity of captured images while increasing digitization output by over 1,000%.
Meanwhile, new Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software rapidly converts digitized text documents into searchable data, and a digital asset management system facilitates access for researchers.
Documents and photos that were once catalogued and boxed away are now available online for future generations.
Three boys with a dog, Marcy-Newberry Association records.
Three boys with a dog, Marcy-Newberry Association records.
Boy demonstrating a punching bag to young boxers, Marcy-Newberry Association records.
Boy demonstrating a punching bag to young boxers, Marcy-Newberry Association records.
Maxwell Street market scene with goods for sale in handbarrow carts, Marcy-Newberry Association records.
Maxwell Street market scene with goods for sale in handbarrow carts, Marcy-Newberry Association records.
Women and children on back stairs of building, Marcy-Newberry Association records.
Women and children on back stairs of building, Marcy-Newberry Association records.
Alley clean up, Chicago Urban League Records.
Alley clean up, Chicago Urban League Records.
Howell House and neighborhood buildings, Bethlehem Howell Neighborhood Center collection.
Howell House and neighborhood buildings, Bethlehem Howell Neighborhood Center collection.
Built with Shorthand