http://search-engines-web.com/ writes that the Brooklyn Public Library has digitized and web published issues of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper from 1841 to 1902, according to a Library Journal article. The librarians in charge of the project write:
“Although the Brooklyn Daily Eagle Online was not the Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL) first digital project, it has become a catalyst for change and future library initiatives. This is largely because of the richness of the content, the scope of the project, and the response from users….”
http://search-engines-web.com/ writes that the Brooklyn Public Library has digitized and web published issues of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper from 1841 to 1902, according to a Library Journal article. The librarians in charge of the project write:
“Although the Brooklyn Daily Eagle Online was not the Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL) first digital project, it has become a catalyst for change and future library initiatives. This is largely because of the richness of the content, the scope of the project, and the response from users….”“The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, founded in 1841, was Brooklyn’s newspaper of record. During the Civil War it was the most widely read afternoon newspaper in the nation, gaining prestige as the century drew on. The vast repository contains vibrant reporting on local and national events through a period of enormous growth. It is also a rich resource for illustrations and photographs.
“After the Eagle ceased publication in 1955, BPL received the paper’s morgue and related files. Today, they are the centerpiece of the Brooklyn Collection, which also houses books, photographs from the Eagle and from other photographers, newspaper clipping files, and manuscripts, prints, and illustrations.
“Several factors have limited access to the Eagle. It was only indexed between 1891 to 1902. Just a few libraries in the country have microform editions, and even fewer have substantial print runs. To access the paper, most users came to Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza Library to use the microfilm version or submitted a research request to look through the limited and fragile clippings in the morgue. Although articles in the morgue were often crossed-referenced, access cannot be compared with keyword searching.
“The digitization initiative included the hiring of a librarian with a strong background in digitization, key to the project’s success. She resolved a multitude of functionality problems, created a user-friendly web interface, managed the budget, and acted as a liaison with the vendor and other library departments.
“Beta testing of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle Online (www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/eagle) began in March 2003, when a select group of users, including genealogists, were invited to try it out. Despite limiting the number of initial users, word traveled fast, and during our first month of testing, usage surged to over 100,000 visits. From March 2003 to March 2004, the site attracted an average of 60,000 visits per month, with a visit defined as a session of 15 minutes or more. Most users come from the United States and Europe.
“The most important outcome of the Eagle Online is an intended one: users of many backgrounds have found a treasury of long-sought or unexpected information. As one happy researcher wrote, “It sure beats the hell out of poring over reels and reels of microprint just to verify a reference. I kiss you all!”
“We have received emails and hundreds of surveys from remote users and onsite patrons. Many of the respondents used the Eagle Online for genealogical research. Other reasons cited included historical research, academic or classroom use, and general interest.”
Recent Comments