The Brethren Digital Archives committee is one step closer to creating an online archive of Brethren publications. The group met Monday, November 8, at the Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, Ohio. They spent much of the morning learning more about the digitization process with Laurie Gimmell, a representative of Lyrasis. (The Archives is partnering with Lyrasis to complete the project.)
The Archives committee hopes to create a digital record of documents produced by the various Brethren groups that trace their spiritual heritage to Alexander Mack. Publications slated to be digitized include periodicals from the mid- to late-1800’s as well as theological journals, such as the Grace Seminary Journal, which was published from 1980-1991, and denominational magazines, such as the Brethren Missionary Herald, which was published from 1940 until the mid-1990’s. (For a complete list, click here.)
On Monday, they reviewed the publications that will be included in the project, determined what libraries would be the likely sources for the items to be scanned, and cared for other details such as copyright releases and cooperating organizations.
The committee is working to raise the approximate $50,000 needed to complete the project. Gifts to the project may be made through the Brethren Missionary Herald Company, Box 544, Winona Lake, Ind., or the Brethren Heritage Center, 428 Wolf Creek St., Suite No. H1, Brookville, OH 45309-1297. (Be sure to specify Brethren Digital Archives with your gift.)
Volunteers are needed to help check the accuracy of the documents once they are scanned. If you would like to participate in this way, contact the Brethren Heritage Center at 937-833-5222.
The committee also requests prayer for the project, asking that the work would be completed well and in a timely fashion. They also want to be good stewards of the funds that have been provided for the work that is to be done.