Digital Shoebox Project going on the road

STEUBENVILLE -- The Digital Shoebox is going on the road Oct. 15 to three Jefferson County communities, and Erika Grubbs hopes for a successful journey.

Owned by the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, the Digital Shoebox is an "online scrapbook of sorts, containing items of local and regional history, all searchable at www.digitalshoebox.org," explained Grubbs, of the local history and genealogy department at the Schiappa Branch of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County,

Grubbs wants photographs, postcards and other memorabilia related to Jefferson County in order to expand the historical collection of the Digital Shoebox Project, and looks forward to connecting with people during three Bookmobile stops that particular Friday.

The stops are Brush Creek Municipal Building, 10 a.m.; Bergholz Firehouse, 11 a.m.; and Riverside Manor Apartments in Toronto, 1:30 p.m.

"I am asking the public to look through their 'shoeboxes' and photo albums at home for items of local historical interest that would make nice additions to the project," Grubbs explained. "Although items may be donated, we do not need to keep any physical material. Items can be temporarily loaned to the library. After scanning and digitizing, items on loan will be returned to their owners during the Bookmobile's next scheduled visit."

Grubbs elaborated on what constitutes photos of interest.

"Photographs from any era would be appreciated, and while the 19th through the mid-20th century is of particular interest, I would ask the public to not discount photographs that may seem too contemporary," she said. "Time moves quickly and our surroundings are ever changing. Although we may not take much notice while in the midst of these changes, some of the business districts in our communities, for example, look much different today than they did even a couple of decades ago," Grubbs pointed out.

"Schools and businesses that seemed like permanent fixtures are now gone or have changed considerably. Without photographs, we quickly forget how our hometowns used to look," she continued. "Some subject ideas to consider for photographs include churches, schools, businesses, shopping centers, ancestors from Jefferson County, street scenes, parks, parades and other social gatherings," she said.

Some possibilities for printed material related to the county, meanwhile, would include pamphlets, programs, genealogical information, certificates and historical letters and documents, according to Grubbs, who noted the idea for taking the Digital Shoebox Project on the road originated a few years ago with Mike Gray, the library's director.

"We revisited the idea after experiencing the 2020 quarantine, viewing it as a good way to take library services beyond our brick-and-mortar spaces," Grubbs said. "It will make participation in the project a possibility for those who are unable to travel to our libraries, as well as more convenient for those who live in outlying areas. With the bookmobile making regular stops throughout Jefferson County each month, it seemed like the best way to reach the public."

While the first outing will cover the areas of Brush Creek, Bergholz and Toronto, there will be additional outings announced at a later date.

In addition to the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, seven other libraries in Southeastern Ohio have collections on the Digital Shoebox, according to Grubbs.

"The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County offers two separate collections at this time, one containing text that includes more than 80,000 pages of material from sources such as books, newspapers, school and church programs, historical documents and letters," she said. "The other collection contains over 3,500 items consisting primarily of photographs, along with postcards, audio and video files and other miscellany. The collections are searchable by subjects, names, keywords, time periods or through general browsing."

Who will benefit from the effort to expand the historical collection of the Digital Shoebox Project? Everybody, according to Grubbs.

"The preservation of our county's history benefits all of us, including our future generations. The history on display shows us how our communities once lived and appeared, and its value extends well beyond our county's borders," she said. "The Digital Shoebox is available to anyone in the world with Internet access, making Jefferson County's rich and exciting history accessible to all. In fact, some of the largest contributions of material for the Digital Shoebox Project have come from former residents of Jefferson County who now live in other parts of the state and country," Grubbs continued.

"It's nice to know that people still hold an appreciation for their hometown and its history after moving away. I am thankful for all of the treasures that have been contributed to this project, and I am very grateful to have met some wonderful people along the way."

For information, call the Schiappa Branch at (740) 266-6166.