Digital Public History in Libraries

Abstract

This chapter explores digital public history practices in libraries and pointsto the opportunities, imperatives, successes, and challenges therein. It discusses con-temporary library operations and the novel ways in which libraries are engaging thepublic: crowdsourcing transcriptions, content, and image data; inviting users to con-tribute their expertise and experience, to interact with collections, and to co-curate. Ex-amples of crowdsourcing and digital engagement reveal libraries to be an interestingarena for historically informed interactionsand highlight the shift toward Library 2.0, anew library model that incorporates online collaboration and user-centered change.