Public libraries are a vital resource for preserving the history of their communities. Key portions of the contemporary historical record now reside online, but few public libraries actively curate web archive collections. In 2017, the Internet Archive received IMLS funding to provide education, training, and services to enable public libraries to develop expertise in web archiving and build collections documenting their local communities. The resulting resources will be made publicly available to other institutions interested in pursuing web archiving programs.
In this session, we will discuss how we are approaching the curatorial and outreach challenges related to building special collections representative of the diverse populations we serve. How do we select web-based content that has enduring value? What role can we play in preserving the web presence of our community? Who will use our web archives and how should they be organized? What kinds of relationships and agreements should we pursue with content creators? How can public libraries gain the expertise, and what insights can we share?
This session will discuss the goals, successes, and challenges of the grant after the first year. Panelists will speak to the issues involved in collecting and preserving the digital history of their communities. Audience members will be invited to share their experiences sparking ideas and dialogue about best practices. This session is for any institution that is considering or already engaging in web archiving. No knowledge of or experience with web archives is needed.
