During the summer of 2019, Museum Interns Jonathan Lambert and Natalie Pardee digitizied the highest priority and most at risk electronic media in the museum collection as part of theSave Our Oral History collections digitization project. This included approximately 100 VHS tapes, 100 audio tapes and 25 8 mm reel movies. The project was made possible by a grant from the Collections Management Fund of Museums Alaska, with generous support from Rasmuson Foundation. 
The Haines Sheldon Museum has 250 VHS video tapes, 660 audio tapes, and 25 home movies (8 mm) in the collection. The video tapes and audio tapes are primarily oral histories, many of elders who are now dead. Museum staff were concerned about deterioration of the electronic media, especially the video tapes, many, if not all, of which are starting to show quite a bit of “snow”. Rather than use an outside service, the museum opted to convert media in-house due to scope of the collection and the inherent risk of shipping deteriorating media. Additionally, staff will develop skills and knowledge for future digitization work.
Once digitized and cleaned, museum staff and volunteers from the Chilkat Valley Historical Society selected portions of the audio and video for public dissemination to launch a History Relevance campaign. Curated clips will continue to be used in museum programming during the winter of 2019-2020. This includes the bi-weekly KHNS “History Talk” programs, video teasers during Movie Night fundraisers, and upcoming exhibits.You can watch historic video clips on iPads in exhibit galleries during the month of November, 2019.
COMING SOON: A complete list of digitized materials will be posted on the museum’s web site, with finding aids that briefly describe the contents and make our holdings more accessible to local and non-local researchers.
Stay tuned for clips and videos from the project on this website!
Process and Project Goals
The Process
Digitization must be done in real time, and each tape, cassette and reel must be inspected, cleaned, and inventoried before and after digitization. Because we have more than one type of media to convert, and they have an average 3 hour run time, we will maximize personnel time by digitizing different formats concurrently. While materials are undergoing digitization, other materials can be prepared or finalized with enhancement. Because of the age and volatility of the media, the converter equipment must also be cleaned after each tape processed through it. The grant pays for cleaning kits and repair kits. Repair kits will be used to repair any damage that is found or occurs to tapes. Digitized files must be checked and edited for length and quality. Editing software will be used. Audio will be converted from analog to MP3 or other high-quality audio format. Video will be converted to MPEG4, AVI or other high quality video format. This will enable future editing and enhancement. These file formats are extremely universal and widely used. One of the media converters automatically enhances and levels audio, reducing staff time required to improve the digital recording. The museum recently purchased an iMac for audio and video editing. Enhancing image and audio clarity will occur on the iMac as needed. Converted, digital files will be stored on solid state, flash memory during the project, and then moved to redundant, external drives for long term storage. Digitizing just the videotapes requires 7.5 terrabytes of storage.This is larger than our current server can hold, which is why the digitized collections will be on their own external drives, with duplication using 3-2-1 protocols for redundancy and long-term preservation.
This project was made possible by a grant from the Collections Management Fund of Museums Alaska, with generous support from Rasmuson Foundation. 
Project Goals
The Haines Sheldon Museum provides the Haines, Alaska community, its visitors and all interested researchers the opportunity to explore the world and culture of Haines’ past and present. As part of our dedication to our mission, one of our major long-term objectives is to make our audio and moving picture collections easily accessible to everyone and to foster an appreciation for the value of history to our community.
This objective is captured in the Museum’s Long Range Institutional Plan (updated in 2016 and currently under revision) as a major part of the key Institutional Collection and Research Goal. This important goal includes: enhancing the museum’s collections by acquiring materials consistent with our mission statement; properly and accurately documenting collections; preserving collections through proper conservation practices, security and environmental control; as well as providing accessibility to everyone. Finishing digitizing the audio visual collection and re-establishing the community oral history program are key to accomplishing our key Institutional Collection and Research Goal.
Digital collections should enhance understanding of the value of the images or sound, their authenticity, context, and historical significance. Tying these collections into historical objects and modern challenges help them be more relevant to today’s community.
Another important institutional goal is to form effective partnerships with other Haines institutions to provide services that appeal to a broader base of the community. We envision the library and schools as potential partners with us on this project. This project will also encourage scholarly research and subsequent publications, also a primary focus of our Long Range Institutional Plan.
Save Our Oral History Project reconnects the museum with another partner, the Chilkat Valley Historical Society (CVHS). CVHS recently endorsed the seven core values of the National History Relevance Campaign. They have committed to working with the museum to publicize the importance of oral history collecting and preservation.
CVHS is intent on educating the community on the importance of history and we share that commitment. History lays the groundwork for strong, resilient communities. No place really becomes a community until it is wrapped in human memory, family stories, tribal traditions, and civic commemorations. Our connections and commitment to one another are strengthened when we share stories and experiences.
Partnering with CVHS enhances their History Relevance Campaign and reinvigorates our oral history collection, a jewel of the Haines Sheldon Museum’s collection. By publicizing the contents of our oral history collection, through the winter of 2019-2020, we plan to help CVHS launch the History Relevance Campaign and a joint gathering of new stories from community elders.
Specific Project Goals:
1. Complete transferring 100 video tapes, 100 cassette tapes and 25 8 mm films to digital media.
2. Commence History Relevance Campaign using the digitized audio and video materials to focus conversations.
3. Preserve rare film and voice recordings for the future.
4. Improve collections access and research capabilities.
5. Mentor young local individuals interested in history and museums
This project was made possible by a grant from the Collections Management Fund of Museums Alaska, with generous support from Rasmuson Foundation.