Georgia HomePLACE supports information access by providing a collaborative model for digitizing primary source collections on local history from public libraries and related institutions. Digitized collections include archives, manuscripts, photographs, maps, and historic newspapers. Georgia HomePLACE is a collaboration with the Digital Library of Georgia (DLG), an initiative of GALILEO. Collections digitized through Georgia HomePLACE are freely available through the DLG (https://dlg.usg.edu/).Many of Georgia's public libraries and heritage institutions possess irreplaceable material highlighting the history of their communities. In the majority of instances, these institutions lack staffing, expertise, and resources to make these treasures widely available to the public. The infrastructure to ensure long-term access to online collections is often a major stumbling block for small institutions.By shifting focus from funding iterative projects at individual institutions to a collaborative model which centralizes infrastructure and supports community projects, Georgia HomePLACE is able to both save library systems significant resources and facilitate access via a single, statewide portal. Librarian trainings and workshops further serve to preserve these unique materials. Without the support and resource sharing HomePLACE affords, many of Georgia’s archives and special collections would deteriorate or remain inaccessible to the public.By leveraging the Digital Library of Georgia’s technical knowledge and infrastructure, HomePLACE is able to provide digitized public library archival and special collections content at a scale and scope that would be otherwise unattainable. Public libraries save many thousands of dollars annually, while their patrons enjoy increased discoverability and access to unique, regionally significant primary source material.In June 2018, the DLG released a complete site redesign, following a two-year effort to transition their back-end database infrastructure to Blacklight/Solr. In addition to being cleaner, less text-heavy, and more user-friendly, the new site also offers enhanced search and browse capabilities. HomePLACE supported promotion of the new site in the form of marketing materials sent to every public library system in the state, and the creation of on-demand training tools available here: https://sites.google.com/view/dlg-presskit/. With HomePLACE input on behalf of public libraries, future site improvements will include institutional landing pages and support for digital exhibits.As a hub for the Digital Public Library of America, DLG collections are also regularly featured in DPLA exhibits and primary source sets. Although DPLA has phased out support for these curatorial efforts beginning in February 2018, public libraries were featured in a number of exhibits and primary source sets. Additionally, two of Georgia’s public libraries were represented in the DLG’s Top Ten Views by Institution for Catalog Views, Exhibitions, and Primary Source Sets, with the Athens-Clarke County Library receiving 4,124 views and the Clarkesville-Habersham Library receiving 4,014 views. A complete breakdown of DLG statistics from January 1-November 30, 2018 can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ssw234hsnUVGWA0l0K2Dz5bMLPb6MOpInGPdtAagdB4/edit?usp=sharing. Project Activities Comments:Digitization & AccessDigitization is at the heart of HomePLACE’s work, and efforts to provide access to broader geographically and culturally diverse public library collections continued. Paper-based materials digitization involves a variety of processes: scanning and metadata creation of formats including but not limited to manuscript material, bound volumes, broadsides, and photographs; the creation of master and derivative image files; metadata upgrades and enhancement, including subject analysis; ingest of images and metadata into the DLG’s META system.This year, HomePLACE digitization and access efforts included the following:Image capture and metadata creation for 336 pages from the City Council Meeting Minutes from the City of Perry, Georgia, 1928-1943 record book; and the Charter, Ordinances and Rules of Council from the City of Perry, Georgia, 1859, available here:●https://dlg.usg.edu/record/hlp_hcmb_hcmb03a●https://dlg.usg.edu/record/hlp_hcmb_hcmb03b●https://dlg.usg.edu/record/hlp_hcmb_hcmb01aImage capture and metadata creation for 26,946 newspaper pages from Montgomery (1886-1922), Toombs (1904-1927) and Early (1859-1924) counties in Southeast Georgia, available at: ●https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn85034007/●https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053231/●https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn91074167/●https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053334/●https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053358/ Imaging and metadata creation for 241 pages of a scrapbook from Dalton, Georgia’s entry into the 1949 Georgia Power Company’s Champion Home Town Contest, available here: https://dlg.usg.edu/record/zgk_text_csb. Imaging and metadata creation for 202 pages of a record book documenting nursing students from Milledgeville’s notorious Central State Hospital, available here: https://dlg.usg.edu/record/zgk_text_csb. 27,725 new digitized items and associated metadata records were added through Georgia HomePLACE to the Digital Library of Georgia. The images and records of these cultural heritage objects are freely available to the public.Finally, Georgia HomePLACE was proud to work closely with GPLS’ Communications Department to produce Georgia’s Treasures: Exploring Your Genealogy, History and Culture at Public Libraries, a 16-page full-color booklet promoting collections from ten of Georgia’s largest public library special collections, as well as a long list of additional resources. The publication was the winner of the 2018 Advocacy Award from the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council. The booklet, along with the supporting genealogy resources webpage, is viewable at https://georgialibraries.org/homeplace/genealogy/. Tools, Training, and EquipmentHomePLACE makes available a variety of circulating digitization equipment to public libraries and their partners, including two large-format flatbed scanner kits, two portable scanner kits, and two microfilm scanners. The kits can circulate for up to three months, with extensions available upon request. Supporting documentation and guides are made available online: https://georgialibraries.org/digikits/.In federal fiscal year 2018, these kits were reserved 16 times for a total of 835 days. The kits were used for a variety of purposes, including staff training, patron use, purchase evaluation and testing, and for digital projects. Library response to the kits has been positive, with the following survey comments from libraries:●“Overall it has been a great experience, and I'm very happy to have access to this equipment without having had to make an expensive purchase for my library.”●“The equipment is very easy to use and I was really impressed with the scan quality.”●“The equipment was user-friendly, without a steep learning curve; straight forward process. During down times in the Georgia Heritage Room one person could handle the scanning process, but certainly two staff members made the process go more smoothly.”HomePLACE also advised on the purchase of equipment for a Retro Tech Kit, managed by our IT Team. This kit includes peripherals for the conversion of analog media to digital, including cassette tapes, VHS, and vinyl records. HomePLACE also provided documentation for the digital preservation of archival files, which will be available online soon. The Kit contents are viewable at: https://galibtech.georgialibraries.org/emerging/tech-loaner-kits/tlk-equipment/retro-kit-equipment. Georgia HomePLACE also offered a number of professional development and continuing education opportunities for public librarians:On August 23, 2018, retired Emory University Book and Paper Conservator Ann Frellsen gave a webinar titled, “Care and Preservation of Scrapbooks and Photo Albums,” in response to public library demand as expressed in a 2017 HomePLACE survey. Supplemental materials and the webinar recording can be accessed at bit.ly/careandprotect.HomePLACE provided a number of scholarships to public library staff to attend various workshops and training opportunities. These included three $1500 scholarships to attend the five-day, internationally-recognized Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) in Athens, Georgia; and five $275 scholarships to attend Fundamentals of Archives Preservation, a day-long workshop sponsored by the Society of Georgia Archivists. All three IGHR scholarships were awarded, and three of the five Preservation Workshop scholarships were awarded. Scholarship criteria can be found at:●https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HEnbJHHK-B4Slwy0Xo5oyNfCr9QbI1pjD3uIh5Gihlc ●https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g0l6JUnKg2r4sTzbLoDP2ply6GuOo3F6WajJNTc7huE For the second year, HomePLACE partnered with the DLG to offer support in the form of webinars, office hours, timelines, and letters of support for the National Endowment of the Humanities’ Common Heritage grant for conducting community scan day events. These support materials can be found here: https://sites.google.com/view/dlg-docs/dlg-documentation/common-heritage-grant-program-resources. Georgia was proud to have two public libraries receive the grant this year: the DeKalb County Library and the Conyers-Rockdale Library System.HomePLACE also participated in three rounds of grant reviews for the DLG’s Subgranting Program, which awards grants of services to small institutions that are new to digitization or are otherwise underrepresented in the DLG. Three public libraries have been the recipients of these grants since the program’s inception in 2017. Details can be found at: https://sites.google.com/view/dlg-docs/dlg-documentation/dlg-subgranting-program. Finally, in the summer of 2018, Georgia HomePLACE expanded its professional development offerings to include an innovative intern practicum pilot project, in partnership with Clayton State University’s Masters in Archival Studies program and the Twin Lakes Library System. HomePLACE was able to sponsor up to 200 hours of paid work for a currently-enrolled student to digitize a Central State Hospital record book held by the Twin Lakes Library System in Milledgeville, Georgia. Unlike more traditional internships where students are assigned purely to repetitive imaging or conversion work, the goal of this program is for students to manage a small digital project from start to finish. This includes everything from selections and appraisal to project planning, goal setting, imaging, metadata creation, conversion, promotions, public programming, and assessment. The final digital project and guest blog post are viewable here:●https://dlg.usg.edu/record/gv0_csh_alreg●https://blog.dlg.galileo.usg.edu/?p=7085 Plans to expand the internship program to include more library and archives masters programs, as well a new host site location, are in place for summer 2019.Standards & ResourcesWith the launch of the newly redesigned GPLS website, HomePLACE also launched a Resources page for vetted websites created by highly-experienced organizations, with a focus on promoting standards and best practices. This page, in addition to DLG’s centralized Documentation site, are frequently referenced in consultations with public libraries. The hope is that this short and closely-maintained, list will help focus the overwhelming and often conflicting information on the web about managing archival collections and digital projects.

Number of publiclibrary digital items included in DPLA exhibits: 24

Number of publiclibrary digital items included in DPLA Primary Source Sets: 4

The state libraries in Georgia, Colorado, Iowa, and Maryland partnered together to offer the first-ever multi-state library virtual conference. Staff members at all levels and classifications were invited to participate in this daylong event that covered topics of interest and importance to libraries.  Subject matter was selected and the event was coordinated with input from a diverse team of library training consultants.

Presentation 1:  Libraries for Peace & Social Justice with Dr. Clara Chu

•Virtual

•Presentation Length: 60 minutes

•Average number of attendees per session:  324

•Number of times this presentation was administered:  1

Presentation 2: Inclusiveness Panel with Asha Hagood, Jackie Jordan, Touger Vang, & Tara Bannon

•Virtual

•Presentation Length: 60 minutes

•Average number of attendees per session:  381

•Number of times this presentation was administered: 1

Presentation 3: Girls Who Code with Dr. Pat Ball

•Virtual

•Presentation Length: 60 minutes

•Average number of attendees per session:  395

•Number of times this presentation was administered: 1

Presentation 4: Pondering Ritual with Stacy Aldrich

•Virtual

•Presentation Length: 60 minutes

•Average number of attendees per session:  429

•Number of times this presentation was administered: 1

Presentation 5: Libraries as Community Anchors with Dr. Clara Chu

•Virtual

•Presentation Length: 60 minutes

•Average number of attendees per session:  416

•Number of times this presentation was administered: 1

Presentation 6: #Choose2BKind with Allison Jessing

•Virtual

•Presentation Length: 60 minutes

•Average number of attendees per session:  362

•Number of times this presentation was administered: 1

List any important outcomes or findingsnot previously reported:

By identifyingopportunities for libraries to forge relationships with regional andcommunity-based institutions, public libraries can expand patron focusedactivities in-house as well as community spaces. Additionally, library staffcan development new skills to engage deeply with patrons in library spaces witha combination of internal abilities and partner expertise.

Please briefly describe the importanceof these outcomes and findings for future program planning:

Publiclibraries can manage community outreach objectives strategically, and achievethe desired outcomes of its users. Library staff will have a betterunderstanding of their community needs and become trusted at bringing people byhosting local events.

Explain one or two of the mostsignificant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:

The frame ofreference can help institutions strategically add strength to support new typesof activities and reach people to an extent they could not do on their own. Thecommunity catalyst sessions can also help libraries make the case for a seat atthe table for local discussions about policy, budget, and civic priorities.

Do you anticipate continuing thisproject after the current reporting period ends? No

Was an evaluation conducted for thisproject? Yes