mac2019detroit

This session will describe ways to make hidden collections more accessible, especially collections that feature persons or works from minority groups such as African Americans.  Part of the session will describe the collaborative work of a Chicago-based African American lineage society to develop a photograph collection depicting African Americans who had formerly been slaves in the southern United States.   Participants will describe the collaboration between the International Society of Sons and Daughters of Slave Ancestry (ISDSA) and the Chicago State University Library to digitize, describe and make the Collection accessible online.   The Collection includes nearly 360 rare photographs and artwork (sketches, paintings, and drawings) depicting African Americans who had formerly been slaves in the southern United States.  The session will also include information on the Library of Congress' African American Subject Funnel Project in general, how it has progressed over the years, and how it can help librarians better describe and create access points for collections especially those focused on African Americans.