Hobart Manor Papers Now Available in Digital Repository The Hobart Manor Papers documenting the history of Hobart Manor and the family of Garret Hobart are now available in digital format. Photograph of Hobart Manor from the digital collection The Cheng Library is pleased to announce that a collection of documents relating to Hobart Manor and the family of Garret Hobart is now available online. The Hobart Manor Papers collection consists of a variety of materials including newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and other documents. This collection joins several other digital collections already available at the Library’s web site. Work began on the digitization of the Hobart Manor Papers in the fall of 2011. After more than two years of scanning and editing, the University has a detailed digital collection documenting the Hobart family and the history and restoration of Hobart Manor. This collection contains nearly two hundred unique objects and is still growing. In addition to the existing compilation of photographs, correspondence, deeds, newspaper clippings, and documents, objects soon to be added include two sets of architectural plans from the restoration of the Manor, a video of the construction during the restoration, and a number of other photographs and documents. The digitization of the Hobart Manor Papers is the first project to be completed almost entirely within the Cheng Library utilizing Library staff and equipment. While the scanning and image editing of previous digital projects was done externally, the creation of a new digitization work area facilitates the execution and completion of projects in the Library. This area, the Lorraine Cheng Digitization Workshop, was funded with a memorial gift from the Cheng family in remembrance of Lorraine Cheng. It houses the recent purchases of scanning equipment, hardware and software. The Library staff now has the ability to independently create, edit, and make available digital projects of all types. Several projects are already part of the Cheng Library’s digital collections. Past projects have included the digitization of older issues of two student newspapers, The Beacon and Pioneer Times. As a result of the Hobart Manor Papers project, the Library staff has an improved understanding of digital collections and the processes, equipment, and skills needed to assemble a successful one. Procedures for new digital projects have been developed from the creation of this collection. After a proposed project has been approved, the original source objects are imaged (either scanned or photographed), and those images are then edited, if needed. The images are then saved as presentation files (such as PDFs and JPGs) which are easily viewed online. A metadata schema is also developed for each collection. This template allows for an accurate description of each object, and this descriptive data helps a user to precisely locate a desired item within the digital repository. When complete, the collection is uploaded to the University’s computer system where it will be stored with other WPUNJ collections. The Library is also initiating work on new projects. Among the possibilities for future digital collections are a set of historical University yearbooks, a compilation of past course catalogs, and a collection of histories of the University. Dr. Anne Ciliberti, Dean of Library Services, recently received copyright permission to digitize the book by Kenneth B. White, Paterson State College: A History, 1855-1966. An electronic version of this book will soon become part of the University’s digital histories. The University’s Archives web page of the Cheng Library provides links to the Hobart Manor Papers and other digital collections. Please view these collections at www.wpunj.edu/library/university-archives.html Selected Documents in the Hobart Manor Papers Collection Brief history of Hobart Manor Ailsa Farms transfer of title from Garret Hobart Final Draft of the Historic Preservation Assessment for Hobart Manor Hobart family history Hobart family crest Garret Hobart biography and genealogy April 22, 2014
