View Project

G2S Project Code: 2020-ME-85583
State: Maine
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Maine State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Jared Leadbetter
Director Phone: 207-287-5627
Director Email: jared.leadbetter@maine.gov
General Information
Title: CARES Act: Maine Contemporary Archives Collaborative
State Project Code: 1781
Start Date: 04/21/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The Maine Contemporary Archives Collaborative is a group of archivists, librarians, and other cultural heritage professionals working to actively document history through collecting, sharing,and preserving the stories of our community members in a variety digital formats (documents, audio files, photos, videos, etc.) 
This collaborative was formed in April 2020 when the Maine State Library funded the Omeka online platform for 3 libraries in an effort to support one another while developing local projects to document life in Maine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaborative has grown to include 25 libraries and cultural institutions.
The collaborative represents libraries and communities from across the state--academic and public, urban and rural. The Maine State Library expects this collaborative to continue beyond the current COVID-19 collection efforts and focus into the future.

State Goal: Expand library resource sharing and services for all Maine residents
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$5,230.78
$0.00
$0.00
$5,230.78
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Community Concerns
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Maine Contemporary Archive Platform
Narrative: Using the Omeka platform 18 libraries maintain unique or collaborative sites with content uploaded by libraries, patrons and partner Maine organizations There are 9 archives produced by these grant supported institutions.

Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 463
Number of physical items: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 1
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 18
Number of plans/frameworks: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 20
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
This started with a very small group of librarians and has grown to include libraries using other platforms. The group supports each others work and has been heralded by winning a Leadership in History award from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). This is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
This project show how a little grant money can go very far in achieving significant impact.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The leadership and funding of someone to manage and convene this group was significant in the success.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeThis group is dedicated to archiving the stories of Maine in our contemporary society.
Project Tags: archives, covid; collaborative