Calling all would-be SAA Digital Archives Specialist certificate pursuers! Digital Preservation Outreach and Education Network (DPOE-N) is pleased to offer professional development support to cultural heritage professionals in the area of digital preservation. We are particularly looking to support low-resourced institutions and individuals (emerging professionals and pandemic-impacted folks) help make the transition to stewarding digital materials. Consider applying to our professional development funding in order to pursue an SAA Digital Archives Specialist certification or to obtain a renewal of your existing certificate.  

DPOE was an initiative at the Library of Congress for many years, and in 2018 the project was moved to the Pratt Institute School of Information in collaboration with New York University's Moving Image Archiving and Preservation graduate program. With the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, for the past two years we have been able to pursue building our network through the availability of microgrants to US citizens and permanent residents who support the stewardship of digital materials at institutions. Groups also supported include those who will one day make an impact on collecting institutions, including information workers laid off during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as emerging professionals in information studies, museum studies and related fields, including recent graduates and those currently enrolled in masters- or certificate-level programs.

We also offer funding for emergency hardware support to small archives, libraries and museums that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and have digital storage or related needs to ensure the persistence of digital information with enduring value, as well as workshops for cultural heritage professionals. Follow our social media (Twitter / Instagram / Facebook) for the announcement of our next workshop, coming up soon.