Taller puertorriqueño, a community-based cultural center in philadelphia, will expand digital access to archival collections

Taller Puertorriqueno received a $438,783 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture (ALHC) program (CFDA 45.033), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. The award supports the Philadelphia-based cultural center's initiative to expand digital access to its archival collections through a collaborative partnership with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Key deliverables include the acquisition of digitization software and equipment, comprehensive digitization of archival materials, upgrading and organizing the cataloging database, and categorization of digitized data.

The project also provides staff training and capacity-building activities to enhance organizational skills in current digitization practices and technologies. These training components are designed to enable Taller Puertorriqueno staff to improve service delivery to the community while advancing the ALHC program's dual objectives of building museum capacity and developing a professional workforce in American Latino cultural institutions. An expert consultant will assist in developing and implementing best practices throughout the initiative.

In collaboration with the historical society of pennsylvania and with the assistance of an expert consultant, staff will develop and implement best practices for the digitization and cataloging of the archives. Project activities will include acquiring the necessary software and equipment, digitization of materials, upgrading and organizing the cataloging database, and categorizing the data. Training for staff will increase skills and knowledge with the latest practices and technologies and enable them to improve services to the community.