SCRLC Digitization Program

Tools of History (http://www.ToolsofHistory.org) is the major component of the Digitization Program of South Central Regional Library Council. As such, its mission is to provide end-users with universal access to the unique collections that reflect the regional cultural heritage of south central NYS. Through this collaborative program universal access is available to digital collections of historical manuscripts, photographs, maps, drawings, books, and artifacts that have been contributed by libraries, archives, historical societies, museums and cultural organizations comprising the membership of SCRLC.

The Digitization Program has been charged to:

• Identify and include unique collections that reflect the historical significance of the South Central region of NYS.
• Train contributors to develop the skills to select and contribute to Tools of History.
• Provide standards that create consistency in descriptions and allow for searching across collections.
• Promote Tools of History as a valuable resource for students, educators and the general public.
• Identify organizational partners in the South Central region of New York State.

The Tools of History program was developed with funds from:

• South Central Regional Library Council
• New York State Regional Bibliographic Databases Program
• Senator George Winner, 53rd Senate District
  
• Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library
• Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton,125th Assembly District

Tools of History is also supported in part by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds,
awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.