In 2018, some Records Services Team members conducted a cursory inspection of our microfilm to gauge its condition. Over 50% of the rolls inspected showed signs of deterioration. To address this, the Archives purchased a high-performance Mekel MACH10 Scanner from The Crowley Company. With the scanner and its software, we can now digitize our endangered microfilm rolls. And, in addition to preserving the records, digitizing them allows us to make them available online.

To celebrate Archives Month, we’ll be sharing some of our recent accessions. Check back each Friday for a new post. Connor Graham, processing archivist Vera Gilbride Davis was a prominent figure in Delaware politics for more than forty years. She was called the “Grande Dame of Delaware Politics” and was known for achieving a number […]

A recently-accessioned Caesar Rodney School Handbook gives a glimpse into what student life was like in 1938.

October 10 is Electronic Records Day. With the help of the Council of State Archivists (COSA), we’re sharing tips for preserving your personal digital collections.

To celebrate Archives Month, we’ll be sharing some of our recent accessions. Check back each Friday for a new post.   Mary Hanes, processing archivist Have you ever wanted to tour the state of Delaware without the hassle of driving around for hours?  If so, visit the archives and view the recently acquired collection of […]

This blog is part of a special behind the scenes series for Archives Month. Connor Graham, processing archivist The Processing Room is where we clean and organize documents so they can be properly preserved. Removing staples and paperclips, photocopying acidic documents, unfolding papers, and placing records in acid-free folders and boxes are among the basic preservation techniques that […]

This blog is part of a special behind the scenes series for Archives Month. Tom Summers, Outreach Manager   Recently, processing and reference archivist Margaret Dunham uncovered a document in the Kent County Orphans Court Case Files Collection that measured almost 26 feet in length. The file, from the year 1822, focuses on a section of property in […]

This blog is part of a special behind the scenes series for Archives Month. Kit Carson, Government Services Manager If you’ve ever been to the research room, you’re probably familiar with members of our public services and record services staff. These are the people that prepare and service the records from our holdings for the public to use. […]

This blog is part of a special behind the scenes series for Archives Month. Richard Hays, reference archivist In order to keep up with the demand for more ways to obtain digital records, the Delaware Public Archives has recently acquired a pair of new microfilm reader-scanners. These microfilm readers provide image quality that greatly surpasses what has previously […]

To recognize Electronic Records Day, we’re sharing a list of ten reasons why everyone should be thinking about electronic records.