On June 17, the Hamilton Public Library (HPL) hosted an event emphasizing the critical role of digital preservation in safeguarding the cultures, languages, stories, and histories of marginalized communities worldwide. Representatives from the Internet Archive, Internet Archive Canada, Woodland Cultural Centre, the Liberian Learning Center and McMaster University gathered at HPL’s Central Library to discuss their collaborative efforts in this vital endeavor.In an era where disinformation and global conflicts threaten cultural treasures, these partners underscored the importance of preservation and contributing to the global repository of knowledge. Brewster Kahle, founder of the Internet Archive and Internet Archive Canada, articulated the non-profit digital library’s vision of providing universal access to all knowledge through a comprehensive online repository of books, periodicals, audio, video, archived websites, and other cultural artifacts.
During a public tour of HPL’s Local History and Archives, Chief Librarian Paul Takala highlighted the library’s achievements in the past year, noting that HPL staff had digitized over 1,500 locally significant documents and artifacts using the Scribe, an Internet Archive custom-built hardware and software solution for efficient scanning. The digitized items are accessible online.
The Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) has also embarked on the crucial work of preservation and access to stories. The WCC is now initiating the digitization of key pieces of the 50,000 artifacts in its collection to preserve these invaluable cultural resources.
A notable collaboration involves the Liberian Learning Center, supported by Canadian charity Empowerment Squared. Leo Johnson, Chief Empowerment Officer of Empowerment Squared, explained, “The collaboration between Internet Archive, Hamilton Public Library, and Empowerment Squared in support of the Liberian Learning Center project is a testament to the transformative power of digital preservation and access. By promoting continuous learning and preserving international voices, we not only safeguard the rich cultural heritage of Liberia but also foster educational growth in post-conflict regions where important records, documents, and literature are either inaccessible or under threat of being forever lost.”
Among the treasured items to be preserved is a rare book titled The Light is Coming (translated), a workbook for learning the Kpelleh language. This effort is particularly significant in Liberia’s predominantly oral culture, where written records are scarce.
Vivan Lewis, University Librarian at McMaster University, emphasized the broader impact of these initiatives, noting, “Digitizing and disseminating cultural heritage content is not only about preservation but also about accessibility and education. It ensures that the voices of these communities resonate across the globe and through generations.”
Andrea Mills, Executive Director of Internet Archive Canada, remarked, “Our mission is to ensure that the rich tapestry of human knowledge and culture is preserved and accessible to everyone. Events like these demonstrate the power of collaboration in achieving that goal.”
These collaborative efforts underscore the profound impact of digitizing content, ensuring that communities’ stories, knowledge, and history are accessible to local communities, the greater world, and future generations.