In the summer of 2011, the Jasper Public Library was awarded an LSTA grant through the Indiana State Library to begin a digitization program to scan and catalogue photographs contributed by residents of Dubois County to create a database of pictures of local people, places, and events. This database is part of Indiana Memory, a collaboration of libraries, museums, archives, and related organizations to provide access to the history of Indiana through digital records. Through this grant, the library will be able to partner with local organizations such as churches, historical societies, and schools to gather genealogical and historical information to add to our growing digital collection. This endeavor allows access to people all over the globe to our records and resources. To view the database of historical photographs of Dubois County, please visit the grant's website at duboiscountyhistory.org.
Future grant projects are in the works to collaborate with other libraries in the Ohio Valley Genealogical Conference to provide even greater access to digital records that cover the southern Indiana area. By partnering with other library systems, the worth of the collections at each location grows to best serve local populations and visitors to those areas, making it easier and faster for patrons to find information throughout the region.