The State Library of Ohio has extended the deadline to apply to July 31, to apply for a Metadata Mini-Grant
The grant may be used to digitize and create new collections for the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA). Applications are due by Friday, July 31, 2023.
Through work with Ohio Digital Network, Ohio’s DPLA Hub, and support from Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), libraries can apply for up to $4,999 to remediate metadata for collections that have already been digitized and create new digital collections. Grant funds may be used to prepare digital collections such as hiring a metadata specialist or paying a vendor to provide scanning services.
DPLA brings digital collections from cultural heritage collections across the U.S. together in one place and makes them freely accessible to all. Libraries, archives, and museums in Ohio have already contributed more than 380,000 items to this national project. In the past three years, the Metadata Mini-Grant has assisted more than 15 libraries join, or increase their collections, in the Digital Public Library of America through Ohio Digital Network, and with this grant, your organization can be a part of the project, too!
Miriam Nelson, Director, Mahn Center at the Ohio University Libraries, a 2022 Metadata Mini-Grant grant recipient, shared her thoughts on Ohio University’s grant experience:
The Metadata Mini-Grant allowed Ohio University Libraries to hire a graduate student to do a close reading of its Civil War Correspondence digital collection for reparative description and enhanced subject access. Researchers have looked to this collection to understand views about the war and slavery, evidence of enslaved people, and how women were represented in the materials. However, the lack of subject access left the collection difficult to search and specific topics almost impossible to find. The project lent itself to remote work, enabling us to find an MLIS Graduate student with expertise in Civil War history. The grant project was a great experience and an incredible opportunity to accomplish work that we highly value but can rarely prioritize.
EXTENDED --- Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2023.
You can find more information and application instructions on the State Library’s website.
