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G2S Project Code: 2020-TX-85699
State: Texas
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Saima Kadir
Director Phone: (832) 393-1414
Director Email: saima.kadir@houstontx.gov
General Information
Title: Texas Films Revealed 2021
State Project Code: TXT-21008
Start Date: 09/01/2020
End Date: 08/31/2021
Abstract: The Houston Public Library (HPL) in partnership with The Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI), continued to digitize and make widely accessible historically important and previously unavailable Texas films. The films are currently in the collections of HPL’s Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC) and the African American Library at the Gregory School (Gregory). Staff from HPL, HMRC and Gregory worked with contractors to describe the films using standard metadata practices that make them more findable for the public. 

The collection processed included 294 films of significant events in Texas from 1940s to 1970s. Items are accessible state-wide through the TAMI online library, the HPL Digital Archives, and multiple HMRC and Gregory programs. A representative selection of the films will be available for streaming from the TAMI library and as a gateway link to the HMRC and Gregory websites.
State Goal: Goal 2: Access to resources and services to meet community and personal goals.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$35,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$35,000.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
History
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Digitization
Narrative: The Houston Public Library (HPL) in partnership with The Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI), digitized and expanded access to historically important and previously unavailable Texas films. Staff worked with contractors to describe the films using standard metadata practices that make them more findable for the public. The films are currently in the collections of HPL’s Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC) and the African American Library at the Gregory School (Gregory). They are recordings of significant events in Texas from 1940s to 1970s and are in fragile and deteriorating condition.
The project included the digitization of 294 films, approximately 69,000 feet of film in total. Houston Public Library partnered with Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI) to digitize reels of film containing early KHOU news clips.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to discover information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 294
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 294
Number of physical items: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
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: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 500 MCKINNEY ST
City: HOUSTON
State: TX
Zip: 77002
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
From the subrecipient: Films produced by local television stations from the 1950’s onward are extremely rare and important. Early broadcasting collections provide a treasure trove of local history as well as offer a regional perspective on national and international events. Sadly, very little of this material remains. In the mid-1970’s, most television stations switched from 16mm film to ¾ inch U-matic tape for electronic news gathering. Nationwide, most of the film reels that covered approximately 25 years (1950–1975) of American, state and local history were either destroyed outright or have been stored improperly and have deteriorated due to the fragility of the medium. It is, therefore, very unusual and fortuitous that HMRC has obtained and maintained these KHOU films. The HPL team was able to share the project to the public library’s social media accounts twice, which allowed for greater viewership than if they had not shared out the information. They will continue this practice for future digitization projects and have worked out a schedule with HPL communications team to regularly share content on social media that promotes digital archive materials.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:

Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
From the subrecipient: One lesson from their work with Sonix was: “When using a transcription software know how you want the subtitles to look on the video. It changes by platform so knowing what you want when you begin is the best option.” Staff also suggested that when using a new platform have the metadata template/standards set before beginning the project with other librarians or contractors. The HPL team also learned that new platforms are always challenging so they recommend you practice with them as much as possible and involve others in the process, because they might see something that was previously missed. Learning new platforms for this project was a true team-effort.
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: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: digitization, film