This panel will discuss the implementation and evolution of the strategies for digitizing and disseminating archival materials in a variety of formats at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. Perkins was the first school for the blind established in the United States and was a pioneer in the education of the blind and deafblind worldwide. The materials in the archives document this history and contain rich collections from European schools for the blind and deafblind including the first book created for use by the blind (in raised type) and the first braille book. Panelists will discuss the platforms used to share digital materials, the value-added transcriptions and visual descriptions to make materials accessible to blind, deafblind and visually impaired users and the steps taken to photograph raised print and tactile materials in a useful fashion. Discussion will include measures to describe photographs (19th-20th century), books for the blind (18th-20th century), and handwritten manuscripts and correspondence (19th-20th century) including squarehand print used by the blind (19th-20th century).

Featured image can be found by clicking this link.

Moderator: Robert B. Riter, Archival Studies Program Coordinator, University of Alabama

Molly Stothert-Maurer (@lessprocess) is Associate Librarian (Archivist) and Head of the Library and Archives at the Arizona State Museum. Molly was most recently Archivist & History of Science Curator at University of Arizona Libraries Special Collections where she worked closely with the collections documenting the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. Previously she served as Archivist at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts. She holds a MA degree in Information Resources and Library Science from the University of Arizona and a BFA in Studio Art from Texas State University.

Jen Hale, is the Lead Archivist at Perkins School for the Blind where she has worked in the Archives since 2014. She has presented on the importance of accessible photographs in digital archival collections as well as ethical considerations for digitization. Jen received her MS in Library Science with an Archives Management concentration from Simmons University. She also holds a BA in English from Fort Lewis College.

This event will be recorded and uploaded to the ADE Youtube Channel.