Acquire Microfilm Reader/Scanner

Measurable Outcomes that were achieved include:

-successful acquisition, installation, and operation of the microfilm scanner, computer, and monitor, including development of library-specific documentation for patrons using the microfilm scanner;
-announcement of the new microfilm scanner via an article in the DeWitt Wallace Library Spring 2017 newsletter, which was sent to all current Macalester faculty, all academic department coordinators, and the President's Council (senior staff members from across the college);
-announcement of the new microfilm scanner via an article in the DeWitt Wallace Library 2016/2017 Annual Report, which is shared with the Provost, Library Advisory Committee members, and also uploaded to the college's institutional repository, DigitalCommons (http://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/libanreport/);
-targeted announcement to and training on the microfilm scanner for specific faculty, staff, and students, particularly in the History Department, who are heavy users of primary source materials on microfilm for their research and academic work;
-training on the microfilm scanner for library staff;
-training on the microfilm scanner specifically for students in Dr. Rebecca Wingo's Spring 2017 class (cross-listed in the History and American Studies Departments), Public History in Action - Remembering Rondo: A Digital History Practicum";
-evidence of usage of the new microfilm scanner via interactions between library staff and patrons, particularly in cases where faculty and students worked with Research and Instruction Librarians or when microfilm was requested via interlibrary loan; and
-ViewScan III software usage statistics which logged 9,659 scans since 1/16/2017.

One outcome to particularly note is the completion of a project by students in the Spring 2017 course, Public History in Action - Remembering Rondo: A Digital History Practicum." Students partnered with Rondo Avenue, Inc. (the governing board of the community) to reconstitute the historic business district of the Rondo neighborhood from 1920-1960 using GIS mapping technology. This project drew inspiration from an earlier map by Rondo resident Jim Gerlich of important Rondo landmarks and businesses during the same time period. However, due to space limitations, only businesses established every 10 years could be included. There are no such restrictions on a digital map though, so over the course of the semester, students used the new microfilm scanner to scan all the Rondo-based business ads in the St. Paul Echo (1925-1927), Twin City Herald (1927-1940), and St. Paul Sun (1951-1976). Students presented their research to members of the Rondo Avenue, Inc. Board at the end the semester. The project has been donated to RememberingRondo.org (http://rememberingrondo.org/historic-rondo-businesses/) and a copy also resides in the Ramsey County Historical Society.