UPDATED eBlackCU Volunteer Opportunities

The website is: https://eblackcu.net/portal/

Here is a one-sentence summary of the project: eBlackCU is a
collaborative portal on African-American history and culture in
Champaign-Urbana which ALL are welcome to use and add to.

And here some volunteeer/service-learning opportunities we have created:

1) Digitization
a) We have identified a lot of material to digitize and get online. If
you could dedicate some time to learning, with us, how to digitize,
how to manage digital files, and how to get them online with proper
metadata, this is for you! No prior skills necessary! Estimated time
commitment: 3 hours minimum, up to 15 hours (or more)
b) We will also be holding “mass digitization” events in which people
can digitize together! E-mail us if you want to be informed when these
events will take place. Food and drinks after the event will be
provided. Estimated time commitment: 3 hours.

2) Web Development
a) Metadata – we need to improve our metadata for the eBlackCU digital
library. Spend some time learning what is in the library and help us
improve access by adding better descriptions to enhance searching!
Estimated time commitment: 2-10 hours (or more)
b) Design – Help us improve the eBlackCU design! Spend some time
looking through the site to find ways to improve it and then implement
the changes if you have the tech skills (or send us your comments if
you don’t). Estimated time: 1-10 hours (or more)
REQUIRED SKILLS: Some background in web design/php/and database-driven
web development
c) Installins apps – We would like to install a number of apps and
programs on the eBlackCU site that will allow us to geocode data,
place interactive time-lines into the site, and more! If you are
interested in web development and have some experience this would be
perfect for you! Estimated time: 5-15 hours
REQUIRED SKILLS: Knowledge of web development, attention to detail

3) Outreach/Marketing
a) Facebook – We are trying to develop a version of eBlackCU in
Facebook! Help us spread the word through the social networks and help
us build this collaborative Facebook page. Estimated time commitment:
2-3 hours.
b) Community Memory workshops – We want to help community
organizations and older generations access this material. Lend a hand
and help us organize and carry-out meory workshops to support capacity
building in community organizations. Estimated Time Commitment: 3-20
hours.

4) Research:
a) Visit area archives in Champaign-Urbana and inventory material that
documents African-American history and culture in our community. A
list of sources has been prepared and volunteers would be asked to
spend a few hours looking at an archives record group to see what is
of interest in terms of local African-American history. A great way to
learn about archives and to do some original research! No prior
experience is necessary. Go alone or with a friend! Estimated time
commitment: Between 2 hours to 10 hours depending on the size of the
archives chosen.
b) Check newspaper microfilm rolls and city directories for data about
African-American history in Champaign-Urbana around specific themes.
Can be done at the Champaign County Historical Archives, History
Library or online, in the case of the Digitized Urbana Courier –
(http://www.library.illinois.edu/dnc/Default/Skins/UIUC/Client.asp?Skin=UIUC&AW=1273084920855&AppName=2).
Estimated time commitment: 1-5 hours depending on research needed.
REQUIRED SKILLS: familiarity with online databases
c) Have an interest in digital exhibits? Take the initiative to
research and produce a digital exhibit using the Omeka Content
Management System! We can get you started with the tech and orient you
in the research and then let you take the initiative and develop an
exhibit around your interests. Estimated time commitment: 10-20 hours
minimum.
REQUIRED SKILLS: experience with writing and graphic design