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People love to share memories with each other, which is why for over a century OHIO alumni have returned to Athens for Homecoming celebrations like the Saturday morning parade, the afternoon football game, and in recent years, the Librariesā€™ annual Homecoming display, which is filled with archival materials spanning back to the 19th century.

But this year, the display is going virtual with the premiere of ā€œā€ and ā€œā€ beginning October 5 on the .

ā€œWith all the protests that have been going on in the country lately, we thought the presentation would be timely,ā€ said Bill Kimok, University archivist and records manager, who is highlighting the digital archives in a video detailing OHIOā€™s history of student expression. 

Kimok explained, ā€œThe University still encourages free expression on campus, but believes there are ways to do this so it does not hinder what else we are trying to get accomplished.ā€

Additionally on October 8 at 7 p.m., the Libraries is hosting a live Q&A with Erin Wilson, digital imaging specialist & lab managerā€”and creator of the Mapping Memoriesā€™ interactive map, and Bill Kimok creator of the student expression video, along with a quick preview of their recorded presentations. The event is freeā€” to receive an online ā€œinvitation to attend.ā€

Since the pandemic began, University Librariesā€™ archivists and librarians have been working on ways to virtually capture the spirit of Homecomingā€”and ā€œā€ is that vehicle.  Using the interactive map, alumni and students can ā€œpinā€ their favorite OHIO memories, share storiesā€”or respond to other Bobcat memories. 

ā€œOne of my favorite things to do at [] Homecoming display is to watch and observe what people do.  Often, people will talk with anyone around themā€¦.about events they recognize because of an item or two that they had seen in the display,ā€ explained Kimok. ā€œSo, stories get shared [here].ā€

ā€œMapping Memoriesā€ is a safe and fun way to share new online stories during the week-long 2020 Virtual Homecoming (#OHIOHC2020).
 
ā€œIt was created using ArcGIS mapping software, which is a good demonstration [of how to use] digital tools to showcase and increase the discoverability of the Librariesā€™ collections,ā€ said Wilson.  ā€œEspecially, at a time when in-person events are not a safe option.ā€ 

According to Wilson, the software, accessed via the web, is used widely throughout the world for geographical projects. So, connecting digital archival materials to their locations of origin seemed a logical leap. 

In these days when visiting the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections for research or classroom projects is not an option because of Covid-19, ā€œviewing yearbooks, student newspapers, published magazines, handbooks and scrapbooksā€”all are still within the click of a mouse,ā€ said Kimok. 

ā€œWe have all this stuff in the Archives [to share],ā€said Kimok. ā€œHow cool is that?ā€

For more information contact Jen Harvey, library event coordinator, Erin Wilson or Bill Kimok.