Delaware State College/University Yearbooks now being Digitized

Visit the digitized University Archives at: https://desu.dspacedirect.org/handle/20.500.12090/348

 I am excited to announce that the DSU archives has launched a new tool for sharing digitized content and making it just a little bit easier for long-distance patrons to access archival collections.  DSpace is a digital repository or what could be described as a virtual representation of the physical archives. Although it will take some time, the most prominent collections of the DSU archives will be digitized and made available online. 

Last month I conducted a survey of 50 constituents to learn how you, the users, might use the repository and to determine what content would be most valuable.  The overwhelming majority (90% of participants) specified that yearbooks would be the most useful collection.  As a result, I made the digitization of the yearbooks a top priority.  To date, the 1985-2007 yearbooks have been digitized and uploaded to the repository.  More are on the way! You can view them here.

Thank you to all who participated in the survey.  Please know that your input is valued and I will do my best to meet your requests.  If you didn't participate in the survey but would like to comment or offer suggestions you can do so in the comments below or email me at rscherry@desu.edu. Any feedback is welcome. 

Lastly, the archives has several gaps in the yearbook collection.  I would love to hear from you if you possess or have any information about the Statesman yearbooks listed below.  Even if you are not willing to be parted with your yearbook, would you consider loaning it so that may be digitized?

• any Statesman made prior to 1960 except for 1947
• 1962 Statesman
• 1963 Statesman
• 1964 Statesman
• 1965 Statesman
• 1977 Statesman
• 1978 Statesman
• 1984 Statesman

***3/18/2019 UPDATE: All of the yearbooks have now been digitized.  https://desu.dspacedirect.org/handle/20.500.12090/348

#ColorOurCollections

Each year the New York Academy of Medicine hosts a #ColorOurCollections imitative.  Participating archival and library institutions submit digitized coloring books composed of  sketches and artworks found within their collections.  Patrons are encouraged to color the images and post them to Twitter with the hashtag #ColorOurCollections. You can view the coloring books at https://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/

Although the Delaware State University Archives is not a formal participant in the movement, I thought it would be fun to offer you a similar opportunity. Share your artworks @desu.library and  #ColorOurCollections. I can't wait to see your artistic skills.

Below: This artwork was scanned from the 1976 Statesman yearbook.  The artist is Allen Smiley  who was a Freshman at the time of publication.