The Camden Public Library’s archives of the Camden Herald newspaper are being digitized and posted online.

Phase one of the project, or the first 125 years of the newspaper, are already online. Phase two, 1998 to 2020, is in the works.

“We are more than delighted, we are overjoyed,” said Ken Gross, director of the Camden Public Library’s Walsh History Center, according to a news release from the library. “This project will be an incredible boon to all researchers, historians, genealogists, students, and community members who can now read and search every issue of the Camden Herald.”

The key feature of a digitized archive is that it is searchable. With a few keystrokes, the complete archive can be reviewed for a person’s name, an event, or an issue. All of the editions from 1870 through 1997 are available online at librarycamden.org.

The project is being accomplished because of a foundation grant and private donors. Advantage Preservation is doing the scanning, digitizing, indexing and posting.

“We had been looking for a company with the right capabilities, and seeking the funding, for several years now,” Gross said. “We were finally able to put together the technology, the funding, and the archived film of the Camden Herald. The pieces finally came together.”

The cost of the project is $23,000, and additional support is still needed. The library invites those who appreciate the value of this new local history resource to consider donating to help support set-up costs as well as ongoing web hosting. Gifts to the Camden Public Library Fund can be mailed to the Camden Public Library, 55 Main St., Camden, ME 04843; include “Walsh History Center” in the  enclosure. Gifts also can be made on the library’s website.

For more information, call the library at 207-236-3440.

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