The alaska sealife center (aslc) will undertake a project to digitize 14,708 hours of aging VHS and CD video recordings from their 25-year archive, which documents significant observations of marine…

The Alaska Sealife Center received a $502,855 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The primary deliverable is the digitization of 14,708 hours of archival video recordings—comprising aging VHS and CD materials spanning 25 years of marine life research—into indexed digital MP4 files with associated metadata and historic coding records. This digitization effort will preserve critical scientific observations including Steller sea lion studies, annual bird census data, and specialized marine mammal research such as harbor seal neurological condition cases.

The project supports IMLS's Museums for America program objectives of collections stewardship and public engagement by rendering the Alaska Sealife Center's marine research archive accessible and searchable for future scientific research and educational use. Upon completion, the digitized collections will enable scientists and the general public to explore the organization's marine ecosystem research, strengthening institutional capacity to serve the public through digital learning resources and collections management activities aligned with the Center's strategic priorities.

The alaska sealife center (aslc) will undertake a project to digitize 14,708 hours of aging VHS and CD video recordings from their 25-year archive, which documents significant observations of marine life, including steller sea lions, annual bird censuses, and unique cases like harbor seals with neurological conditions. The conversion to digital MP4 files with associated metadata and historic coding records will preserve these invaluable records while supporting aslc's commitment to cataloging, indexing, and inventorying these assets for future research and education. This project enhances public engagement by ensuring accessible, indexed collections that allow scientists and the public to explore aslc's research, sparking a broader connection to alaska's marine ecosystems.