Hidden in Plain Sight

Summary

Our project will create metadata to record significant unique characteristics of titles in the circulating collections of the U.Va. Library, focusing on 19th century titles. Many titles in our 19th century circulating collections have evidentiary or artifactual value due to characteristics such as marginalia, inserts, unique bindings, etc. Although these books are in the catalog, the unique, distinguishing features of the books are undocumented and therefore undiscoverable, hidden in plain sight in our stacks. We will provide enhanced metadata for these titles, and create a protocol for the discovery and sorting process which we will share so that institutions can cooperate on preservation, retention and weeding projects.

Program

Digitizing Hidden Collections

Amount Awarded

$221,379

Year Added

2014

Institution

The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

Contact(s)

  • Ms. Kara McClurken (University of Virginia Library)
  • Dr. Andrew Stauffer

Date Range

1800 - 1800

Geographic Scope

Material published in the U.S. and Europe

Materials

  • 12000 Book (Including Serials), Ephemera