December 07, 2010

Virtual Library of Cherokee Knowledge

Cherokee Nation develops virtual libraryThe Cherokee Nation is in the beginning stages of developing a Virtual Library of Cherokee Knowledge, a web-based system designed to provide Cherokee citizens and the general public access to a comprehensive digital space filled with authentic Cherokee knowledge related to the tribe’s history, language, traditions, culture and leaders.

The Cherokee Nation Education Services group recently received an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant that will help fund the project as well as optimize the opportunity for Cherokee students, citizens, researchers and scholars to access reference information on sources related to Cherokee history and events.
And:The virtual library will include many of the tribe’s most noteworthy documents and materials from the 1830s to present day. Currently the tribe’s archives contain thousands of important papers, writings, manuscripts, books, photographs and artifacts that document the epic history of the Cherokee people but access is limited by the location, form and fragility of the items.

This project will allow the tribe, through the consultation with professionals in the fields of digitization and historical documentation, to establish a leading database for all Cherokee cultural records to be placed in one centralized location for cultural preservation.
Comment:  For more on the subject, see Tribes Expand Library Services and Navajo Is Librarian of the Year.

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