Let’s Digitize the Antigo Daily Journal and Preserve Langlade County History Together
The Antigo Public Library gets many requests for obituaries and other historical records that can only be accessed within the library by utilizing the microfiche machines. These machines are no longer compatible with printers to allow those unable to visit the library in person to access these records. To preserve Langlade County Historical records contained within the Antigo Daily Journal, The Antigo Republic, and U.S. Census records within the library’s microfiche collection going back to the 1800s we have received a quote from Advantage Archives for digitizing the process. Advantage Archives is the company the Antigo Public Library pays each year to scan the Antigo Daily Journal onto microfiche. Rather than scanning the paper to microfiche, we will be digitally scanning the paper moving forward. 2024 was the first year the Antigo Public Library paid for digitization rather then scanning for roll film used with the microfiche machine.
To donate towards the digitization project mail a check made out to the Antigo Public Library Foundation with a note stating it is for the digitization project. Checks can be mailed to the Foundation at 617 Clermont St., Antigo, WI 54409.
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of $97,650 Goal
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Microfiche is a flat piece of film containing microphotos of pages of newspapers, articles, or other paper records. Microfilm is a continuous roll of film with the flat microphotos that can be played through a spool using a microfiche and microfilm reader. The Antigo Public Library has approximately 500 rolls of microfilm containing the Antigo Daily Journal, The Antigo Weekly Journal, The Antigo Republic, and U.S. Census records for the county going back to the 1800s. The digitization process contains two steps. The first (1) involves scanning the film rolls into digital files. The second (2) involves created a searchable database to house all of the digital records. The database would be accessible to everyone via the Antigo Public Library website allowing Antigonians near and far to search the records for obituaries, birth announcements, and other local news from the comfort of their own home. It will also allow for the printing of these records from home or utilizing a library computer for locals who need it.
