Collection and Digitization of Artifacts in the University of North Texas LGBTQ Archive

Abstract

The University of North Texas Libraries has collected a large archive to document the history of the LGBTQ community in north Texas, including many significant artifacts. Artifacts in LGBTQ Archives can carry special significance as objects of memorialization, identity and protest. As digitization of archival collections continues, Special Collections staff has developed workflows for creating digital surrogates of these artifacts.

Keywords:

• LGBTQ
• artifacts
• digitization
• gay
• lesbian
• objects

Notes

1 “Vial of Medication,” Portal to Texas History, last modified May 3, 2017, https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc271476/ (accessed August 16, 2019).

2 Gonzaba, Eric, “About,” Wearing Gay History, http://wearinggayhistory.com/about (accessed August 16, 2019).

3 “March on Washington T-Shirt,” Portal to Texas History, last modified March 10, 2014, https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc277277/ (accessed August 16, 2019).

4 “Threads of Remembrance: “No NAMES, Nelson-Tebedo Community Clinic” T-shirt,” University Library Exhibits, University of North Texas, https://exhibits.library.unt.edu/aids-quilt/items/no-names-nelson-tebedo-community-clinic-t-shirt (accessed August 16, 2019).

5 “‘Men Use Condoms or Beat It’ button,” no date. Bruce Monroe Collection (The Dallas Way), 1982–2015, Collection AR0880, box 1, item 13. University of North Texas Libraries Special Collections.; “‘No condoms? Get outta my house!’ button,” no date. Resource Center LGBT Collection of the UNT Libraries, 1940-2011, Collection AR0756, box 620, folder 33. University of North Texas Libraries Special Collections.

6 “Threads of Remembrance: Panelmaking Guide, Dallas Metroplex Chapter,” University Library Exhibits, University of North Texas, https://exhibits.library.unt.edu/aids-quilt/items/panelmaking-guide-dallas-metroplex-chapter (accessed August 16, 2019).

7 “Update: Items from the memorial to Orlando at the Legacy of Love monument have been located,” Dallas Voice, June 20, 2016, http://dallasvoice.com/flowers-go-messages-hope-missing-legacy-love/ (accessed August 16, 2019).

8 Maynor, Ashley R. “Response to the Unthinkable: Collecting and Archiving Condolence and Temporary Memorial Materials following Public Tragedies,” in Handbook of Research on Disaster Management and Contingency Planning in Modern Libraries, edited by Emy Nelson Decker and Jennifer A. Townes (Hershey, PA, IGI Global, 2016), 582–624.

9 “The Resource Center LGBT Collection: Bill Nelson and Terry Tebedo,” University Library Exhibits, University of North Texas, https://exhibits.library.unt.edu/resource-center-exhibit/bill-nelson-and-terry-tebedo (accessed August 16, 2019).

10 “Medal: Bill Nelson Grand Marshall,” Portal to Texas History, last modified October 25, 2016, https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc851824/manifest/ (accessed August 16, 2019).; “Medals from the Gay Games,” Portal to Texas History, last modified April 15, 2019, https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc277263/ (accessed August 16, 2019).

11 “Guidelines for the Creation of Digital Collections: Digitization Best Practices for Three-Dimensional Objects” (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois, Champaign, IL, 2017), https://www.carli.illinois.edu/sites/files/digital_collections/documentation/guidelines_for_3D.pdf.

12 “Scanning Standards by Type of Material,” University Libraries, University of North Texas, https://library.unt.edu/digital-projects-unit/standards/ (accessed August 16, 2019).

13 Puglia, Steven, Jeffrey Reed, and Erin Rhodes, “Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Archival Materials for Electronic Access: Creation of Production Master Files-Raster Images” (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD, 2004), 50, https://www.archives.gov/files/preservation/technical/guidelines.pdf (accessed August 16, 2019).

14 “Flying W pin vest,” Portal to Texas History, last modified August 16, 2019, https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1533602/ (accessed August 22, 2019).

15 “The Resource Center LGBT Collection: Team Dallas Buttons,” University Libraries Exhibits, University of North Texas, https://exhibits.library.unt.edu/resource-center-exhibit/items/team-dallas-buttons (accessed August 16, 2019).

16 “About Scanning Your Materials,” University Libraries, University of North Texas, https://library.unt.edu/digital-projects-unit/partners/scanning/ (accessed August 16, 2019).

17 “Threads of Remembrance: Signature Panel from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Chapter,” University Libraries Exhibits, University of North Texas, https://exhibits.library.unt.edu/aids-quilt/items/signature-panel-dallas-fort-worth-metroplex-chapter (accessed August 16, 2019).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jaimi Parker

Jaimi Parker is the Exhibits Coordinator for Special Collections at the University of North Texas Libraries. Her work includes curating multiple exhibits each year including a series of yearly Dallas LGBTQ History exhibits, displayed at Dallas City Hall. She is currently part of the Exhibits and Events committee under the Reference, Access and Outreach Section of Society of American Archivists, working to advocate and create standards for exhibiting of materials across the archives profession.

Morgan Gieringer

Morgan Gieringer is Head of Special Collections at University of North Texas Libraries and the Director of the Graduate Academic Certificate in Archival Management in the UNT College of Information. Gieringer is active with national and regional archival organizations including the Society of American Archivists, Academy of Certified Archivists, and the Society of Southwest Archivists.