News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Pickett County Archives has received a state grant that will allow visitors to read the large quantity of microfilm in its possession.
Archivist Pam Bullock said the microfilm includes important documentation like deeds, land grants, and map parcels. Bullock said the almost $5,000 went towards a new computer that is compatible with a microfilm reader.
“Right now we don’t have a working microfilm reader connected to a computer so we can’t even look at it at this point,” “We used to have one and it was manual, but the parts are no longer made. So we are no longer able to even look at it anymore.”
Bullock said the microfilm reader itself was purchased last year for some $8,000. Now that they are able to connect the reader to a compatible computer, Bullock said they will be able to transfer the microfilm into a digital format using a USB. Bullock said employees are currently learning how to complete that process and use the technology.
Bullock said the grant also purchased acid-free boxes to properly store the microfilm as they go through their collection.
“This is really exciting because it’s going to help us get into the 21st century,” Bullock said. “We have so much microfilm and don’t know what’s on most of it.”
