The Lincoln Library brings a significant piece of Springfield’s past to the present by providing free access to the historical legacy of Springfield, Illinois, as recorded in the pages of the various titles on the archive. The Lincoln Library, located in the heart of Springfield, Illinois, is not only the city’s public library but also […]
Community History Archives
A Community History Archive is an easy-to-use online search platform that is intended to serve as a “portal to the past”, allowing local primary source documents to give an accounting of history as told by the individuals that witnessed it. They put history at the fingertips of anyone interested and connect the community to their past in a very tangible and meaningful way.
Simply put, the Community History Archives bring the past to the present
We are honored to be an active participant in the community’s efforts to make their collective history more accessible. The digital archives are maintained for free by Advantage Archives and do not require a subscription, seat license, annual support contract, or any other ongoing costs or expenses to the institution or members of the community.
This Week in History- January 5th through January 11th
From Ziggy Stardust to rumblings of civil war, this week in history has plenty of interesting stories from the past that took place on these days. Join me as we explore historical events through the Community History Archives and place them within their broader historical contexts to paint a more complete picture. David Bowie was […]
This Week in History- December 15th through December 21st
Each year, kids eagerly write to old Saint Nick to tell him what they hope to see under their Christmas tree, a tradition that has spanned generations. Around this time last year, I shared a handful of old letters to Santa I found in our partner’s archives. I had such a blast doing this last […]
This Week in History- December 8 through December 14
First, we have some reflections of Christmas memories from The Akron Hometowner, published in Akron, Iowa, on December 14th, 2016. Three women, one of whom was 97, shared their favorite Christmas memories with the paper. Sybil Campbell remembers playing with her cousins, going to midnight mass, and helping her mother cook dinner during the holidays. […]
How Microfilm Digitization Aligns With the Library’s Mission
How Microfilm Digitization Aligns With the Library’s Mission Why digitization is not just modernization — it’s mission fulfillment Libraries have always been more than buildings filled with books. They are trusted partners in community life, and their purpose is both clear and enduring. However they are worded, most library mission statements circle back to the […]
Partner Spotlight: Urbandale Historical Society (Urbandale, Iowa)
Partner Spotlight: Urbandale Historical Society (Urbandale, Iowa) Preserving Urbandale’s newspaper legacy through digital access Archive Overview The Urbandale Historical Society, in partnership with Advantage Archives, has made its local newspaper history freely accessible through a digital archive at urbandalehs.historyarchives.online. This collection focuses exclusively on digitized newspapers, preserving printed records of community life, civic developments, and […]
This Week in History- November 10 through November 16
On November 13th, 2015, a group of terrorists carried out a series of attacks in Paris. Suicide bombers detonated vests outside the Stade de France, where a soccer match was being played. A second group opened fire on crowds of Parisians at restaurants and cafes. A third, final group attacked a concert happening at the […]
Digitization Takes History Out of the Microfilm Cabinet
Digitization Takes History Out of the Microfilm Cabinet Transforming preservation into access for communities everywhere For decades, microfilm and microfiche have been the trusted media for preserving local history and the public record. Entire communities’ stories were printed in newspapers on paper never meant to last. From small-town weeklies to regional dailies, the papers were […]
Partner Spotlight: William Penn University — Digital Archive of Heritage & Community
Partner Spotlight: William Penn University — Digital Archive of Heritage & Community Preserving history, fostering access, and strengthening community through digital archives Archive Overview The digital archive at William Penn University Library, available at williampenn.historyarchives.online, offers a rich and accessible collection of yearbooks from 1893-2013. These materials document the institution’s journey from its founding in […]
This Week in History- October 27th – November 2nd
On a cool October day in 2003, excitement was growing among fans of the NBA as the rookie Lebron James prepared for his first game in the professional league. An extremely talented player, Lebron was drafted straight from high school as a first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Going pro straight out of high […]
This Week in History- October 20th through October 26th
Starting off we have some Halloween-themed treat recipes from Fort Stockton, Texas. These recipes were published in the Fort Stockton Pioneer on October 20, 2011. The article briefly describes the origins of Halloween– it was originally a Celtic festival called Samhain– and compares the similarities between the festival and modern traditions. The author’s personal favorite […]
Building a Sustainable Digitization Program: Budgets, Partnerships, and Phases
Building a Sustainable Digitization Program: Budgets, Partnerships, and Phases Turning shared responsibility into lasting preservation and public access Newspaper Digitization gives new life to your important, historical content. Libraries, archives, and cultural institutions all share a common challenge — balancing stewardship of history with modern expectations for access. Microfilm digitization is rarely a solo effort; […]
Partner Spotlight: Concord & Lexington Libraries
Partner Spotlight: Concord & Lexington Libraries Honoring America’s Past Through Digital Preservation A Partnership Rooted in History Advantage Archives is proud to partner with two of the most historically significant communities in the United States: Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts. These storied towns—whose names are forever etched into the American Revolution—have entrusted Advantage Archives with preserving […]
This Week in History- October 13 through October 19
The first comic I pulled out is an edition of ‘Baby Blues’ from The Quincy Herald Whig, published on October 16th, 2011. Baby Blues first appeared in papers in 1990, and has been published in the Sunday comics all over the country since then. The comic strip is centered on the Macpherson family as they […]
Partner Spotlight: Comfort Public Library (Texas)
Partner Spotlight: Comfort Public Library — Community Historical Archive Preserving Comfort, Texas — Past and Present The Comfort Public Library, Texas. Archive Overview The Comfort Public Library, in partnership with Advantage Archives, hosts a digital archive at comfort.historyarchives.online. This online resource serves as a gateway to explore decades of local newspapers, periodicals, and historical documents […]
This Week in History- September 29th through October 5th
On October 1st, 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum made history. Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City, was sworn into office that day, becoming the first female president in Mexican history. Not only was she the first female president of Mexico, but she was also the first Jewish descent president. The journey to becoming president was full […]
Partner Spotlight: Morningside University — History Archives
Partner Spotlight: Morningside University — History Archives Preserving a Century of Campus Life in Sioux City, Iowa A view into Morningside University’s preserved legacy, spanning over 32,000 pages of digitized history. Archive Overview Morningside University’s archive, created in partnership with Advantage Archives, provides an expansive digital collection of approximately 32,349 pages of historical materials spanning […]
This Week in History- September 22nd – September 28th
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on September 26th, 2024. The category four hurricane was the second major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season. With 252 fatalities, Helene was the deadliest hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Fears lingering from Katrina and other […]
