Adding to the accessibility of MDL collections

Nestled among the eye-catching colors, graphics, and images of advertisements are words, sometimes lots of words. They convey information about what is being promoted or sold, such as what it is made of, when and where it is happening or available, and why you need to have or experience it. Until recently, many of the advertisements in the Minnesota Digital Library (MDL) did not have transcripts of the words they contained. However, thanks to funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Grant to the States program, MDL was able to commission transcripts where they were missing. They are now available in each record, making the full content of the advertisements more accessible than before.

Three main groups of advertisements were transcribed, including a set of car cards, the compact, colorful ads that were placed in streetcars to reach riders. We also had a set of posters transcribed, many containing information about concerts, dances, and events at the Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood, MN. Finally, transcriptions were created for the historic advertisements collected by the Hennepin County Public Library. International Stock Food Company ads feature heavily in this collection, promoting their feed products and including many images of farm animals alongside the text.

Having these transcripts available means these historic resources can be used more easily and enjoyed more completely. They are a part of MDL's commitment to accessibility for all of our shared collections.