By Spencer Bowman, Northwest Room Librarian
The Northwest Room is pleased to announce the publication of the first batch of digitized videos in the Audio and Moving Image Collection in ORCA. The digitization of these videos was made possible by the generous support of the City of Tacoma through a City of Tacoma Heritage Grant.
During our closure (currently, we are open by appointments!), the Northwest Room has been diligently organizing its collections. This effort led to the discovery of a variety of audiovisual materials, including 16mm and 8mm films, VHS tapes, reel-to-reel audiotapes, U-Matic tapes, and other formats. Many of these items originated from well-known creators such as the Richards Photography Studio, the City of Tacoma, and Tacoma Municipal Television. However, some sources remained unidentified.
Without the necessary equipment to preview these materials, their contents remained unknown until their recent digitization. We enlisted the services of an external vendor to assist in digitizing the video formats we did not have playback devices for. Most of these were early video formats such as U-Matic tape and Ampex video tape. The digitization process revealed a treasure trove of historical content, including rare footage and recordings that provide a unique glimpse into different avenues of Tacoma’s past.
One of our favorite videos we have had digitized so far has been "Tacoma Public Library: Intellectual Freedom and the Library". This program was filmed in and around the Tacoma Public Library’s Main Branch in 1983, and features library staff in acting roles. It was produced in cooperation with the Washington State Library under a Library Services & Construction Act Grant. The subject matter of this program touches on challenges to accessing diverse expressions in library material as well as the role of a library in its community. Despite the amateur acting, the skits add an entertaining touch to the serious discussions, making the program both engaging and relevant, as many of the issues it addresses remain pertinent today.
Some of the other highlights of this material include:
- A Children's Story Hour at Tacoma Public Library: A cat-themed Children’s Story Hour hosted by Kathy Rasmussen at the Tacoma Public Library’s Main Branch children’s area on the second floor. This was recorded for a workshop for children’s librarians held at the Tacoma Public Library’s Main Branch on May 10, 1975.
- Tacoma City on the Move: A short six-minute documentary covering Tacoma and its 1984 All-American City award. Some topics include: the Tacoma Dome, a $15.8M bond issue to renovate the Tacoma Public Library branches, the Tacoma Sheraton, the Tacoma Dome Hotel, the downtown Holiday Inn, the downtown YMCA, the 16-story Tacoma Financial Center, the Tacoma Mall, the waterfront, the port, the Pantages Theater, and the privately funded economic development program "New Beginnings."
- Concert in the Park: A performance by the Washington Brass Quintet in the wilds of Mt. Rainier National Park, recorded circa 1980.
- Railroad Days: A talk on the early railroad in Washington state hosted by the Tacoma Public Library's Gary Reese with Walter Gordon and Cy Happy. Recorded November 19th, 1973.
As we process more of these films, video tapes, and audio recordings we hope you will check back for updates.
To browse all of the new videos posted on ORCA visit this link!
