Virtual Forum on Archiving the Black Web Scheduled for April 29-30

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Apr 15, 2021, 12:40 ET

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla., April 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Broward County Library's African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), recipient of The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Leadership Grant for their project "Archiving the Black Web: A National Forum to Map the Landscape, Define the Issues, and Plan a Strategy for Documenting the Black Experience Online," (ATBW) is pleased to announce its inaugural virtual convening, slated for April 29-30, 2021.

Institute of Museum and Library Services

AARLCC, in collaboration with national partners Shift Collective, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Spelman College Archives, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland, will lead a national forum focusing on strategies for collecting and preserving Black history and culture online, as well as creating a support community for Black cultural heritage collections interested in web archiving.

The forum is organized by archivists and librarians that are focused on building collections related to the Black experience. Hosting a roster of dynamic scholars, activists, archivists, librarians and digital content creators, the forum will discuss projects and research that centers Black people in digital spaces as not only participants but as drivers of web culture. ATBW Forum will facilitate a critical dialog about the challenges and opportunities of documenting culturally relevant yet highly ephemeral web-published content by and about Black people. These conversations will catalyze the work of ATBW, which is to create infrastructure and framework for the future of documenting the web presence of Black history and culture.

Registration for the forum is required. Space is limited and priority will be given to library and archival registrants working at institutions whose missions prioritize collecting content about the Black experience. For more information, contact ATBW Project Director Makiba Foster at [email protected] or 954-357-6176.

About The Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grant-making, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Broward County Libraries Division
Broward County Libraries Division, named 2020 and 2015 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association, was founded in 1974 and is the largest library system in Florida by square footage and one of the busiest, with more than 7.5 million walk-in customers visiting its 38 locations annually. Broward County Libraries Division provides convenient access to a full range of innovative and cost-effective services that satisfy the changing needs of the people of Broward County for information, education and recreation. Visit our website, Broward.org/Library, or follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter .