To add 125 rolls of microfilmed newspapers and other local history documents to the museum's holdings, making primary records more accessible to the public.
A Microfilm Scanner System and associated computer and software were purchased for the Museum. Staff and volunteers were trained in their uses. Improved image quality was immediately noticeable. The purchase enhances the overall plan to preserve local history in Otter Tail County.
The Minnesota Genealogical Society (MGS) purchased three microfilm cabinets and two cases of microfilm storage boxes. The existing microfilm collection has been made more efficient, accessible and secure. There is also increased storage capacity for the future growth of the collection. The new cabinets have been placed on the MGS library floor.
A two year backlog of weekly Scott county newspapers, including the Shakopee Valley News, Jordan Independent, Belle Plain Herald, New Prague Times, Prior Lake American and the Savage Pacer were microfilmed by the Scott County Historical Society. A volunteer organized the newspapers by city and date, bundled them by year and created the microfilm targeting sheets. The newspapers were then boxed and sent to an outside vendor for microfilming. Negative and positive 35 mm master prints were made of the microfilmed newspapers.
Kanabec County Historical Society purchased a ST ViewScan Digital Microfilm system which included a Apple laptop computer, Windows 7 for Macs and Stylus Photo software and a printer to broaden public access to primary historical records.
The Lake of the Woods County Historical Society purchased a Canon MS 300 Microfilm Scanner/Reader to broaden public access to primary historic records for research use.
To make its primary records available through a new microfilm reader/printer. The application offers outstanding match and provides solid evaluation criteria
Six Kandiyohi County Township records were microfilmed and a copy was given to each township and one put into the research library at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society for easier access to the public. The master copy is being stored at Southwest Minnesota State University History Center. KCHS had microfilmed 42 rolls of film. During this project, KCHS assisted Colfax Township in finding their lost records and recovering them from inadequate conditions.
The most enduring value of this project is the preservation of the townships public records.
To broaden public access to primary historical records by replacing microfilm copies of newspapers lost during the July 8, 2011 arson fire that destroyed the Isanti County History Museum.
