The Bowen Island Community Museum and Archives has launched its photographic database, which features more than 3,000 photos. This project was supported by the B.C. History Digitization Program, an initiative of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre.

For more information on the Bowen Island project, please visit www.bowenhistory.ca.

The B.C. History Digitization Program (BCHDP), an initiative of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, has been awarded a Programs and Services Merit Award by the British Columbia Library Association (BCLA). The award was presented at the annual BCLA conference in April. The awards committee noted that the organization was impressed with the project’s scope and its ability to connect communities across the province through their histories.

The BCHDP, launched in 2006, provides matching funds for digitization projects that provide free online access to B.C.’s unique historical material. In 2007, funding was awarded to 17 successful program applicants from around the province; that number increased to 21 in 2008. For more information, please visit www.ikebarberlearningcentre.ubc.ca.

Congratulations to University Archivist Chris Hives, and his team members Bronwen Sprout and Rob Stibravy, who developed and administered the program. Congratulations also to the adjudication team members: Pat Roy, George Sipos, Mark Jordan, Chris Ball, Patrick Dunnae and Simon Neame. Thank you all for your vision and commitment.

A double-page spread about UBC Library Vault appears on pages 28 and 29 of the spring 2009 issue of UBC’s Trek magazine. A Vault image also appears on the inside front cover.

You can view a PDF of Trek here:

http://www.alumni.ubc.ca/files/pdf/trekmagazine/trek23-spring2009.pdf

The Bella Coola Valley Museum has completed its digital heritage project about logging in the region. This project was supported in part by the B.C. History Digitization Program, an initative of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre.

You can find out more about the Bella Coola project here:

http://www.bellacoolamuseum.ca/en/digital_heritage/logging/index.php

The Bill Silver Digital Newspaper Archive has officially opened at the Vanderhoof Public Library. This program received support from the B.C. History Digitization Program, an initiative of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre.

 You can read about the Bill Silver Archive in the Omineca Express: http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_north/ominecaexpress/news/42147097.html