A new LSTA grant cycle is now open for the Washington Rural Heritage Initiative, www.washingtonruralheritage.org. These grants are intended to support small and rural libraries in the development of sustainable digitization programs for photographs and other historical materials. To date, more than 50 libraries, museums and cultural institutions throughout Washington have contributed to the initiative and we’ve published almost 10,000 items on our site.

We wanted to give you a quick peek into what we’ve discovered and uncovered around the state as part of this year’s grant and digitization activity.

Last week, we scanned 15 of over 100 glass negatives that a community member brought in to the Benton City branch of Mid-Columbia Libraries. The negatives, housed in an old cardboard bowling ball box, contained the above image of two children observing a hay-stacking operation around the turn of the century. Upon further inspection, staff realized that the photo was taken at almost precisely the location where the library stands now!

We’ve also done quite a bit of scanning at the Sedro-Woolley Museum in partnership with the Sedro-Woolley Public Library. We’ve captured photos, maps, a pioneer’s journal and items relating to the infamous 1914 bank robbery that occurred downtown. The below image was taken from a set of 96 glass lantern slides created just after the event as part of a special presentation for the Majestic Theatre in Sedro-Woolley. They portray, in chilling detail, the crime’s events and characters, including Deputy Corlin (below), who was shot in the leg by one of the robbers.

These collections and more will be published later in the year.

Overall funding to support this grant cycle is $50,000, with a maximum award of $10,000 per application. It is anticipated that five or more applicants may receive awards. Application deadline: Postmarked or received by April 30, 2010. View eligibility guidelines, FAQs, and download a grant application at http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/libraries/grants/grants.aspx.

For more information, contact Evan Robb, Project Manager – Washington Rural Heritage, 360-704-5228, [email protected] or Jeff Martin, Grants Program, 360-704-5248, [email protected].