A picture may be worth a thousand words, but those words can only be conveyed if the image withstands the test of time.
This sort of preservation is the primary goal of a new collaboration between the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) and the HBCU Library Alliance. They will work together to digitize and archive historical records and materials at five historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Supported by $85,000 in donations from 78 sponsors, this collaboration will help preserve the rich cultural heritage of these institutions.
“This collaboration touches deeply both heart and mind,” CLIR President Charles Henry wrote in a statement announcing the collaboration. “Making accessible the compelling stories previously hidden in these libraries and archives brings grace and vitality to our cultural heritage as they inspire a more just and accurate telling of our history.”
The initiative recognizes the deep historical and educational significance of HBCUs, which have been pivotal in educating students of color since the mid-1800s. Despite their profound contributions, many HBCUs face financial constraints that can make it difficult to maintain their archival collections.
This effort was established following a 2022 CLIR study, “Creating Access to HBCU Library Alliance Archives: Needs, Capacity, and Technical Planning,” focused on the challenges that HBCU archives face, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The obstacles created by that historical event shined a spotlight on the importance of digital access to records for research and online learning, as well as general accessibility, CLIR and Alliance researcher Sharon Ferguson Freeman, DPS, wrote in the study.
“Significant talent and funds will be required to assess, house, describe, and digitize ‘hidden’ materials so that they are widely discoverable and useful,” Freeman wrote. “Furthermore, increased national recognition of the importance of HBCUs in American life and culture has underscored the need for digitized special collections and archives that are broadly representative and accurately and authentically contextualized.”
Among the beneficiaries of the project is Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837 as the nation’s first HBCU, which will use its portion of the funds to buy database subscriptions to provide educational and research resources to the campus community. The university’s Leslie Pinckney Hill Library — named for a 20th-century community leader, writer, and educator — will purchase access to databases that focus on careers, film, and African American history and studies.
In Tennessee, Lane College is using the funds to create digital archives of a wide variety of materials related to the history of the community, including newspapers, photographs, family books, yearbooks, and college reports, among other documents, to help preserve local culture.
Through the CLIR partnership, the Langston Hughes Memorial Library.— dedicated to the famed poet, social activist, and notable figure in the Harlem Renaissance.— at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania will improve numerous aspects of its existing archives and special collections. As part of the Securing the Block project, the library will bolster its infrastructure and security measures and develop systems that make finding information easier and more accessible.
At Oakwood University, the Eva B. Dykes Library.— named in honor of the renowned educator and one of the first Black women in the U.S. to be awarded a PhD — is launching the Preservation and Digitization of Oakwood’s Sounds & Visuals: Beginning with Our Music project. The Huntsville, Alabama, university will use the alliance funds to preserve and digitize its audiovisual assets.— with an initial emphasis on music recordings and performances.— by utilizing conversion equipment and creating metadata for archival purposes. Once the process is complete, the library will unveil a new digital repository that celebrates the recordings and the history tied to them.
The Keepers of the Flame project at the Texas College D.R. Glass Library, named after Dominion Robert Glass, the college’s eighth president, focuses on protecting and rebuilding the library’s archives. This will involve restoring portraits of college leaders, hosting alumni events, and digitizing and enhancing accessibility of historical records. Selections will include yearbooks, photographs, letters, newspaper clippings, and other historical documents related to the college and its initial founding by members of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
Looking ahead, CLIR is already gearing up for the next round of fundraising to support projects in 2025. Additionally, the organization plans to allocate funds to subsidize sponsorship benefits for 102 HBCUs, ensuring wide participation in their programs and amplifying support for other HBCU-related initiatives.
This collaboration not only addresses immediate financial challenges but also ensures the preservation and accessibility of the rich historical legacies of these colleges. Experts agree that by providing the necessary resources, this initiative will contribute to a deeper understanding and appreciation of these institutions’ impacts on society, ensuring their stories are told and celebrated for generations to come.
