GRANT RECEIVED FOR REGIONAL LIBRARY DOCUMENT DIGITIZATION PROJECT
In cooperation with the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, 12 public libraries across nine northwest Ohio counties, including the Bluffton Public Library, are partnering to implement a regional document digitization project.

The purpose of the project is to make an array of important and deteriorating local history resources more available to state residents and a worldwide audience of researchers through the Ohio Historical Society's Ohio Memory Project.

Materials to be scanned include books, photographs, postcards, newsletters, pamphlets, atlases, slides, flyers and yearbooks. Subject matter may potentially include community histories, area businesses, community celebrations and festivals, local personalities, school records, family genealogies, and area homes. Participating libraries will determine their own priorities for scanning based on condition and use of their materials.

This grant will enable the Bluffton Public Library to "preserve many items of local historical/genealogical significance, and make those items more easily-accessible via the Internet," said library staff member Justin Crawfis.

Once the equipment for the project is installed in November and training is completed, participating libraries will begin submitting their files to OHS. The images subsequently will be made available to the public through the web sites of the OHS and the libraries involved in the project.

Funding for this grant is being provided by the State Library of Ohio, Columbus, through the Library Services and Technology Act; the Northwest Regional Library System (NORWELD), Bowling Green; and the 12 participating libraries.