Partnering with Educators Support for truth in the classroom starts with access beyond the classroom. Teachers use digitized primary sources to bring local history into modern classrooms. Educators are being asked to teach truth in an environment where truth is increasingly controversial. They’re facing banned books, a censored curriculum, and growing political pressure to sanitize […]
Partnering with Like-Minded Institutions
Partnering with Like-Minded Institutions Access isn’t owned by one organization—it’s shared by all of us. A visual representation of multiple institutions collaborating on public access initiatives. No institution holds the whole story. That’s why we have to work together.Libraries, museums, archives, historical societies, schools—these organizations may operate independently, but they serve a shared purpose: connecting […]
Partnerships Are Pivotal
Partnerships Are Pivotal Access isn’t just a mission. It’s a movement—powered by people working together. A collaborative team works together to digitize and organize community history. You can’t defend access in isolation.Digitizing history, making it freely available, and keeping it open to the public isn’t something most institutions can take on alone. The only realistic […]
Beyond The Building
Beyond The Building If history is locked behind doors, then it’s not truly public. A building can’t serve the public if people can’t reach it. Physical access is no longer enough, especially when hours are cut, collections are removed, or the public is pushed away altogether. Digitization changes the equation. It removes physical and logistical […]
When Access Is Limited, So Is Accountability
When Access Is Limited, So Is Accountability A Weekly Perspective Access and accountability are often bound together—when one is removed, the other fades with it. Lately, it feels like I’ve lost all sense of time. The pace of change has been so rapid, so unrelenting, that it’s difficult to process just how much damage has […]
History is not just something that happened—it’s something happening right now.
Access to historical records has never mattered more. Libraries, archives, and educators are on the front lines, fighting against efforts to erase, rewrite, or whitewash history. What’s at stake isn’t just the past—it’s the ability of future generations to learn from it, understand it, and ensure the full truth is never lost. These materials in your archives do more than help us remember; they help us learn, question, and grow. They show us how oppression is justified, how movements for justice are built, and how power is wielded—sometimes for progress, sometimes for control. They remind us that history is not just something that happened—it is something that is happening right now.
Weathering The Storm – Protection & Recovery Of Local History Collections
In the face of extreme weather events due to climate change, many of our partners have faced natural disasters, including floods and derechos right here in our hometown. Libraries, museums, and cultural institutions across the country have taken note, and have learned that creating a comprehensive disaster recovery plan is essential. However, the difference between […]
Beyond Black & White: Digitizing In Grayscale Or Color
At Advantage Archives, we continually evaluate our digitization methods, focusing on improving quality while maintaining affordability for our partners. As technology has evolved, so has our approach to digitizing microfilm, newspapers, and historical documents. While many of our earlier projects featured bitonal images, technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and reduced costs have allowed us to refine […]
Discovery: Remembering the USS Jacob Jones
On March 3, 1942, the headline of the Newark Evening News read “Sub Sinks Destroyer Off N.J.,” informing the citizens of Newark and the rest of New Jersey of the sinking of a United States Navy warship by a German submarine. On February 28, 1942, the USS Jacob Jones (DD-130) patrolled the waters off Cape […]
Don’t Search For An Obituary By Only Searching For An “Obituary”
In the quest to trace our roots and understand our heritage, obituaries often serve as a crucial starting point. Obituaries are undoubtedly a rich source of information for genealogists. They often provide vital details about the deceased, including their full name, date of birth, date of death, and often, the names of their relatives. However, […]
The Newark Public Library Announces Free Online Access to Historical Newark Evening News Archives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Newark Public Library Announces Free Online Access to Historical Newark Evening News Archives Newark, NJ (May 30th, 2024) – The Newark Public Library, in partnership with Advantage Archives, proudly announces free access to nearly 1.2 million pages of historical newspapers from Newark, New Jersey. The Newark History Archives (https://newark.historyarchives.online) features the […]
Don’t Search For An Obituary By Only Searching For An “Obituary”
In the quest to trace our roots and understand our heritage, obituaries often serve as a crucial starting point. Obituaries are undoubtedly a rich source of information for genealogists. They often provide vital details about the deceased, including their full name, date of birth, date of death, and often, the names of their relatives. However, […]
History From A Local (Cedar Rapids, IA) Perspective – The Titanic
The sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, is etched in history as one of the most devastating maritime disasters. The tragedy, which claimed over 1,500 lives, sent shockwaves across the globe, making headlines in every corner of the world, with newspapers of all sizes providing extensive coverage of the event. In the […]
From Shelves to Screens: Why Libraries are Embracing Community History Archives
The Challenge of Accessing Physical Archives In our fast-paced world, time has become one of the most valuable resources we possess. It is a precious commodity that, once spent, can never be regained. In the context of libraries and institutions housing historical records, time is particularly crucial. The process of searching through physical archives can […]
See You In The Funny Pages: How The “Yellow Kid” Was Drawn Into The Great Newspaper War
The comic strip, a captivating blend of storytelling and visuals, made its debut in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, captivating the public’s imagination. “The Yellow Kid” holds the distinction of being the inaugural comic strip to grace the pages of North American newspapers. However, the origins of this charming and often overlooked art […]
The Importance of Consolidating Your Digital Archive Collection into a Community History Archive
Having all of your digital content in one spot creates a holistic view of your community’s past. The Community History Archives platform was designed to provide your community with a freely searchable archive that has no reoccurring fees. Accessible and Searchable One of the most significant benefits of consolidating your digital archives into a […]
Preserving Memories and Enhancing Research: The Importance of Digitizing School Newspapers
At Advantage Archives, we understand the profound value of community history. School newspapers, often an overlooked treasure, form a significant part of this rich tapestry. As we move further into the digital age, the need to preserve these documents becomes increasingly crucial. Here’s why digitizing your school newspapers not only safeguards your community’s history but […]
Creating an Online Digital Archive for Your School: The Sensible Step Forward
In the era of digital transformation, preserving the rich tapestry of a school’s history has become more critical than ever. The Community History Archives is the perfect archive for your school. We provide Free access to the archive with absolutely NO recurring fees. Ever. The Emergence of Digital Archives in Education Digital archives represent a […]
