Celebrating 10 years of the Hurley Convergence Center & Digital Archiving Lab
Happy 10 years to the HCC and Digital Archiving Lab! Originally opened as the Information and Technology Convergence Center in 2014, the intention behind this new space was to bring together departments and resources from across campus into a modern, technologically-advanced collaboration space. With Simpson Library right next door and connected by an indoor bridge, the Library was further incorporated into the space with the opening of the Convergence Gallery and the Digital Archiving Lab (DAL). The DAL enables the library to conduct digitization and preservation actions for the items housed in Special Collections & University Archives, while also providing the space and resources for UMW faculty, staff, and students to collaborate with the local community on digital preservation projects.
On Friday, October 25th we celebrated the opening of a new exhibit: “A Decade of Digital Convergence.” This exhibit features artifacts, stories and projects from the HCC’s opening to today. Displays include videos and architectural drawings from the building’s construction, a homage to the Console Living Room project, a student-designed video, light art installation on the Media Wall and a display from the Library’s Digital Archiving Lab.
The DAL is equipped with specialized equipment and software to digitize rare books, manuscripts, photographs, scrapbooks and so much more. One of the most frequently used digitization tools is the Cobra semi-robotic rare book scanner. The V-shape book cradle and glass provide a safe environment for the high-resolution digitization of rare books and other fragile items. Along with the rare book scanner, the DAL has two high-resolution flatbed scanners with film scanning capabilities, a 50MP DSLR and associated photography equipment, and a suite of software applications to assist in digital archive and preservation projects.
Through the digitization of UMW’s archival records, work in the lab enables broader access to the University’s history. These materials are now available for discovery in the Library’s digital collections, and digital versions of original records also provide opportunities for enhanced accessibility that wouldn’t otherwise exist, like full-text searchable documents. Collections include digitized materials such as university publications (newspapers, yearbooks, handbooks, etc.), WWI posters, and important artifacts like the MWC AIDS quilt. In addition to providing the technology for these projects, the Digital Archiving Lab, frequently in collaboration with community partners, provides educational learning experiences for students as well. Through student employment and internship opportunities, students interested in learning technology skills for future careers in libraries, archives, and museums can work with Special Collections & University Archives staff in the lab on projects that have a lasting impact.
If you are interested in using the Digital Archiving Lab, please feel free to email archives@umw.edu to schedule your first appointment! The lab is located in the Hurley Convergence Center (HCC), room 322. The lab can be accessed directly via the HCC, or by crossing the bridge from Simpson Library’s 2nd floor into the HCC.
