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09/22/2021 12:00 AMIf you are a local history buff or just want to learn more about your community, you are in luck! The Blackstone Library is embarking on a new local community archiving project.
The Blackstone is 1 of 50 public libraries in the US (and 1 of 4 in Connecticut) to be awarded a grant and be inducted into the Internet Archive Community Webs program. This program provides training and education, infrastructure and services, and professional community cultivation for public libraries across the country.
As part of the program, the Blackstone will be partnering with local organizations to help archive materials to preserve some of Branford's digital history. The library is receiving training in collection development and beginning to build digital collections that reflect local diversity, events, and culture.
In 2021, the Blackstone Library celebrates its 125th anniversary. One of the ways they're marking this historic occasion is by digitizing their own archival holdings. The library has long partnered with the Branford Historical Society to house materials related to the history of both the library and Branford. And now these collections are available online, wherever you are! Visit blackstonelibrary.org to see historical photos of the construction of the Blackstone Library (1893-1896), Branford Carnival (1905-1910), and a small sample of the 1938 Hurricane collection.
The library will be adding photos and other documents to the archive as they digitize them. You can help the library prioritize the project by letting them know if there is a particular aspect of Branford history you're interested in. Send an email to reference@blackstonelibrary.org to share your thoughts!