Delaware Valley University Awarded Grant To Preserve Archives

The Delaware Valley University Archives has been awarded a Historical and Archival Records Care Grant (HARC) from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission. 

The $5,000 grant will be used to digitize most of the Archives’ audiovisual (AV) collection and to purchase materials and equipment to ensure the long-term preservation of the original recording media. Among the items to be digitized are cassette tapes of interviews with alumni, DVDs of Commencement ceremonies, and VHS cassettes of interviews and campus events. Work is set to begin in May when the items will be sent to a facility specializing in AV digitization. In addition to long-term preservation, another goal of this project is to make the digitized recordings publicly available.

“The DelVal Archives is excited to begin this project that will make a treasure trove of A/V materials available to the campus community and others with an interest in DelVal’s unique history,” said Marian Schad, cataloging librarian and associate professor. “The digitization of this material will bring the university’s history to life with sound and images that complement the photographs and documents already digitized as part of DelVal’s digital archives.  We greatly appreciate the Commission awarding this grant to us.”

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) approved 28 HARC grants totaling $152,571 to support crucial efforts to preserve Pennsylvania’s invaluable historical records and make them accessible to residents across the Commonwealth.

“These grants are essential to safeguarding our state’s rich history,” said Andrea Lowery, PHMC executive director. “By investing in the preservation of these records, we ensure that future generations can learn from the past and build a better future.”