This project will establish and implement a sustainable digitization program to preserve and expand access to historically significant library collections documenting native hawaiian history and…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded $163,980 to the Hawaiian Historical Society on October 1, 2026, under the Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services program (CFDA 45.311) to establish and implement a sustainable digitization program preserving historically significant library collections documenting Native Hawaiian history and culture.

The award funds development of digitization workflows and preservation procedures, processing of approximately 1,160 glass plate and nitrate negative images, and acquisition of technology and collections management infrastructure including computers, servers, secure archival storage cabinets, digitization software, cloud-based preservation storage, and a collections management system. Consultants will assist with program development, workflow establishment, and project activities under the organization's direction. Expected outcomes include increased preservation of at-risk materials, enhanced access to unique historical resources, and strengthened organizational capacity for ongoing library services. Primary beneficiaries include Native Hawaiian communities throughout Hawaii and the continental United States, students, researchers, and Hawaii residents seeking access to local history. The project period runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2028, with place of performance in Honolulu, Hawaii.

This project will establish and implement a sustainable digitization program to preserve and expand access to historically significant library collections documenting native hawaiian history and culture. Funding will support the development of digitization workflows and preservation procedures, processing of approximately 1,160 glass plate and nitrate negative images, and acquisition of the technology and collections management infrastructure needed to support long-term digital stewardship and public access, including computers, servers, secure archival storage cabinets, digitization software, cloud-based preservation storage. And a collections management system. Consultants will assist with the development of the digitization program, establish workflows, and complete activities under the direction of the organization. Expected outcomes include increased preservation of at-risk materials, enhanced access to unique historical resources, and strengthened organizational capacity to provide ongoing library services. Primary beneficiaries include native hawaiian communities throughout hawaii and the continental united states, students and researchers, and hawaii residents seeking access to local history.