Networking Information and Collected History Electronically

"Like time and history, the building of a local history collection follows the larger pattern of growth and development" in a community.  The rich cultural heritage of small and large towns is found in local history collections, which are part of nearly every library in the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) service area of Albany and Rensselaer Counties in upstate New York.  The NICHE project located and assessed the number, size and content of local history collections in the UHLS member libraries, and produced a finding aid, both printed and electronic, to those resources.

A project archivist visited all 29 UHLS member libraries to evaluate their local history collections according to the guidelines established by the New York State Archives and Records Administration Documentary Heritage Program.  The finding aid that resulted from those visits provides summary information on each library's local history collection as part of the region's resources.  Links to other related local organizations and resources, including the Directory of Repositories produced by the Capital District Library Council (CDLC) are also identified in the finding aid.   NICHE training workshops for member library staff prepared them to assist local history students and researchers.  These workshops helped them to first develop the skills needed to organize their library's local history collection for accessibility, and second, to learn techniques of working with partner organizations to promote the use of their collection.

Click the link below to see a list of the 29 UHLS member libraries and the resources available from them:

The Libraries

New!
Global NICHE

Original Documents and Photographs...Online!

Some the UHLS member libraries now have original documents and photographs online!  You can go to these now by clicking the link above, or you can use the "Online Collections" menu item on the left side or bottom of the page at any time.

This project was sponsored by the Upper Hudson Library System and supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, granted by The New York State Library.