Special Collections

Archives provide a unique experience for both scholars and the general public. The archives allow for both of these consumers to see and understand material the way that it was intended to be consumed in its originality. Understanding the technology of the past will allow for future researchers to advance in the modes of production of sources regarding the way that we use tools for research, making it easier to access these archives. This can be seen in the example provided in The Artifactual Elements of Born-Digital Records, Part 2 where the author mentions that recreating of library shelving by Thomas Jefferson allows us to see his personal bookshelf but the historical figures of today may leave behind their personal library that can be kept on a hard drive of their computers.¹

The influence that archives have on current authors’ and producers’ work shows that archivists should keep an open mind in accepting as much work as possible. The first part of the The Artifactual Elements of Born-Digital Records mentions how previous authors are influenced by the records and archives that they had available to them.² This shows us that in the modern-day context of archival preservation, historians and archivists should be very liberal and accepting in their decision-making process of historical record preservation. The acceptance of more archival rather than less will allow for further influence on today’s authors that will allow for advancements of culture and education.

The Federal Theater Project was short lived even though the revenue that was generated out weighed the other Works Progress Administration’s projects revenue.³ Understanding the physical preservation of the archives from the Federal Theater Project shows the cultural impact it had on the United States’ citizens. Expansion of culture is important in the context of our class because it promotes the idea of regionalism which shows the many different cultures from all around the country and how they developed throughout the 1930s.

1. LeFurgy, and Bill. “The Artifactual Elements of Born-Digital Records, Part 2.” The Artifactual Elements of Born-Digital Records, Part 2 | The Signal. Library of Congress, December 5, 2011. https://blogs.loc.gov/thesignal/2011/12/the-artifactual-elements-of-born-digital-records-part-2/.
2. Manus, and Susan. “The Artifactual Elements of Born-Digital Records, Part 1.” The Artifactual Elements of Born-Digital Records, Part 1 | The Signal. Library of Congress, November 28, 2011. https://blogs.loc.gov/thesignal/2011/11/the-artifactual-elements-of-born-digital-records-part-1/.
3. Smith, Wendy. “The Play That Electrified Harlem  :  Articles and Essays  :  Federal Theatre Project, 1935 to 1939  :  Digital Collections  :  Library of Congress.” The Library of Congress. Accessed November 13, 2019. https://www.loc.gov/collections/federal-theatre-project-1935-to-1939/articles-and-essays/play-that-electrified-harlem/.