Aruba holds a special significance for Stacy Argondizzo, who has been vacationing on the Caribbean island every July with her family for years. Recently, however, Aruba has become more than just a getaway spot for her; it has become intertwined with her work as a digital archivist.
A project spearheaded by Argondizzo has reached its culmination this week, as the Internet Archive now hosts the Aruba Collection. This collection features digitized versions of Aruba’s National Library, National Archives, as well as other institutions such as an archaeology museum and the University of Aruba. The collection, which currently comprises 101,376 items, including documents, images, and 3D objects, aims to preserve the nation’s history for posterity.
Chris Freeland, the Internet Archive’s director of library services, underscores the significance of this endeavour, stating, “What makes Aruba unique is they have cooperation from all the leading cultural heritage players in the country. It’s just an awesome statement.” The project, funded entirely by the Internet Archive, marks a notable expansion of the organization’s mission to preserve digital content.
The seeds of the Aruba project were planted in 2018 when Argondizzo, then working at the Internet Archive, contemplated how she could contribute to the preservation of Aruba’s history. Recognizing the island’s rich and diverse historical narrative, which includes periods of colonization and cultural exchange, Argondizzo felt compelled to take action to safeguard its archival heritage.
Peter Scholing, an information specialist at Aruba’s national library, recounts the challenges they faced before partnering with the Internet Archive: “We ran into a lot of roadblocks before we stumbled upon the Internet Archive.” Despite limited resources, Aruba possessed its own scanning equipment, but lacked the organizational infrastructure necessary for such a monumental digitization effort. The Internet Archive provided essential support in organizing the vast collection and implementing advanced digitization technologies.
Edric Croes, the head of archival conservation and management at the National Archives of Aruba, acknowledges the project’s significance in centralizing access to dispersed archival materials: “Our collection was scattered…Establishing a hub to find the documents online has been especially helpful for researchers located abroad.” By digitizing and cataloging these materials, the project facilitates access and promotes scholarly research on Aruba’s history.
The collaboration between Aruba and the Internet Archive sets a precedent for other nations grappling with limited resources for archival preservation. Scholing suggests that the model employed in the Aruba project could be replicated in other small islands and developing states, offering a viable solution for preserving cultural heritage in the digital age.
However, while the Internet Archive’s expertise in digital preservation is evident, challenges remain. Ian Milligan, a history professor, emphasizes the importance of considering the long-term sustainability of such partnerships: “How can you set up an organization that will be here in 50 years?” Despite its robust infrastructure, the Internet Archive faces legal challenges that could potentially impact its future operations.
Nonetheless, Freeland views Aruba’s endorsement as a testament to the enduring value of the Internet Archive’s mission: “It’s been really empowering to see that the nation of Aruba is continuing to add materials and upload content at the same time that we’re facing this. We’re in this for the long haul.”
