*Date: April 6, 2009
http://www.news.missouristate.edu/releases/66290.htm

**James Coombs
<https://www.ws.missouristate.edu/expertsources/ExpertSourceDetail.aspx?RecordID=30>*,
associate professor of library administration
<http://library.missouristate.edu/meyer/index.htm> and map librarian at
Missouri State University, received a Digital Imaging Grant for $6,502
from the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) to scan, process and
create metadata of 597 aerial photographs of Greene County Missouri.

The LSTA funds are administered by the Institute of Museum and Library
Services and the Missouri secretary of state to libraries for the
selection, digitization and storage of historical and cultural
collections. In addition to promoting the digitization of collections,
libraries secure expanded access to these collections through inclusion
in the Missouri Digital Heritage database and Web site.

The aerial photography project seeks to increase public awareness and to
provide public access to the Missouri State University Library Maps
Collection’s aerial photo collection. Taken from 1936-2007, the
collection’s almost 30,000 photographs document the history and growth
of most of Missouri’s counties. Access to these photographs will be made
available through the university libraries and the Missouri Digital
Heritage Web site.

“As the only academic library in the state with an accessible collection
of aerial photographs, providing online access to scanned images of our
collection will greatly increase awareness and use of it from people
outside the local area,” said Coombs.