A recent newsletter from the University of Minnesota reminded me to look at other parts of the Minnesota Digital Library. The MDL is best described directly from its website. MDL “supports discovery and education through access to unique digital collections shared by cultural heritage organizations from across the state of Minnesota. Our contributors include libraries, historical societies, museums, and archives.”

Sounds good, right. “Begun in 2003, the Minnesota Digital Library includes digital content from over 200 participating organizations from across the state. Together we have digitized more than 60,000 photographs, postcards, maps, documents, letters, and oral histories. These materials are available online in a free searchable database.” Sounds more like excellence, right?

I was reminded about oral histories that are becoming accessible online via MDL. In a September 24, 2024, post about Minnesota Digital Library News, Stephanie Hess wrote about 135 historical oral histories made in 1950-1955 about Beltrami County that are now available. https://minitex.umn.edu/news/minnesota-digital-library/2024-09/beltrami-county-historical-society-audio-recordings-now . Bemidji is the county seat. Many of the audio recordings include references to area Native American reservations, area businesses, occupations, and many other states are mentioned. Just one collections example:

 

 

 

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