The University Libraries continues to provide access to university history with a new Digital Media Repository [DMR] collection. The Ball State University Black Student Association [BSA] digital collection provides access to organizational documents, internal documents, memos, publications, photographs, posters, flyers, and scrapbooks.
Group Photo in front of the MLK Monument.
BSA began as an off-campus organization under the name Black Student Union in 1968. It became recognized as a student organization known as the Afro-American Student Union [AASU] one year later. The AASU established an office within the Special Programs House, which eventually became known as the Multicultural Center. In 1974, the AASU changed its name to the Black Student Association [BSA.] The BSA and several other student groups were relocated to the Office of Student Life in the 2000’s. The BSA aims to develop and promote unity within the minority community and intensify the Black voice at Ball State.
By making resources such as the BSA collection accessible to the public through the DMR, University Libraries enables students and members of these organizations to discover their history. They can engage with past events and photographs. They become aware that they are represented throughout Ball State University’s history. They can see opportunities to contribute.
MLK Day March (2014-2015)
University Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections continues the mission of providing preservation and access for university history through collaboration.
The physical preservation of the BSA records, for example, is achieved by library staff in Archives and Special Collections, while personnel in Metadata and Digital Initiatives create or curate digital replicas. These digital images, along with descriptions compiled from the expertise of both areas, form collections in the Digital Media Repository—currently a rich treasury of more than 250,000 assets.
The collaboration and effort of many library staff within the University Libraries makes digital collections, like the Ball State University Black Student Association collection, discoverable and accessible for students, faculty, and the world-wide community.