Consultant Services for Newspaper Digitization Project, Vernon Historical Society, Vernon, CT

Posted February 7, 2022

Description:

Summary– The Vernon Historical is a small volunteer-run historical society in the town of Vernon, Connecticut. Our museum and research library are located in the former Vernon Grange building. We want to have our collection of local newspapers digitized and made available to the public online. While the Society has the hardcopies of most of the newspapers, the Rockville Library holds the microfilm for those papers and some additional rare newspapers. The microfilm was completed several decades ago. There are 101 reels of microfilm that can be used for the project. Recognizing that digitizing these newspapers is a large undertaking, we are interested in hiring a consultant who will help us understand what is involved in such a project and who will prepare us for what we need to do to achieve our goal.

Scope of Work: The consultant will prepare a report containing the following information:
• Outline the steps involved in undertaking a newspaper digitization project
• Assist with preparing a budget for the digitization process
• Determine recommended digitalization specifications
• Recommend additional resources such as personnel or technology
• Provide advice on choosing a vendor to scan the microfilm
• Answer questions about copyright
• Suggest strategies for fund raising
• Advise us on selecting a site that will host the completed digital files. The CT Digital Archives are
a possible option for hosting our content.

Process– We will meet with the consultant to review the digitization process. The consultant may want to look at some samples reels of microfilm to assess their condition. As we move through the process, we can see how many in-person meetings are needed.

Outcome– After meeting with the consultant and reviewing a report with recommendations, the Society wants to have a strategy that we can follow that covers all aspects of a newspaper digitization project.

How to Apply:

Proposals– Interested applicants are asked to email a resume, a letter of interest with a description of proposed fees and references to the Vernon Historical Society at [email protected]. Please direct the email to the attention of Jean Luddy, Museum Director.