Zhaleh Nayebossadrian (Sapienza University of Rome) has published “De-Silencing History: From Private Papers to Public Data in the Women’s Worlds in Qajar Iran Project” on The Digital Orientalist. Nayebossadrian describes the Women’s Worlds in Qajar Iran (WWQI) and the digital turn in Persian studies, noting that WWQI

represents a landmark project in documenting women’s lives during Iran’s Qajar era (1796-1925). Born from a convergence of “intellectual frustration” with the perceived lack of sources and new “technological possibility” (Najmabadi 2016). It aims to challenge the focus on political history in this field. Nevertheless, it is essential to go beyond mere celebration of digitization. James Dobson (2019) advocates for a “Critical Digital Humanities” approach that questions the methods and assumptions embedded in our tools. We must view WWQI not as a neutral reflection of the past, but as a project that actively shapes the future of the discipline (Ward and Wisnicki 2023). This paper provides a critical introduction to WWQI, assessing its resources, recognizing its technical limitations, and exploring its potential for future research.

Nayebossadrian notes that WWQI not only aggregates materials held in repositories, but also makes items from private family collections available to the broader public. WWQI moved from a private vendor to the Harvard Library’s Digital Repository Service (DRS) in 2012 in order to provide more sustainability to the project, but Nayebossadrian explains that “the platform faces usability and structural challenges.” Another challenge WWQI needs to wrestle with is one of archival silences:

The WWQI is a feminist intervention aimed at addressing the absence of women in traditional historiography. As Jacqueline Wernimont (2013) warns, we must ensure computational tools do not perpetuate patriarchal privileges of authority.

A critical examination reveals inherent biases. The “private family holdings” that form the backbone of the archive belonged primarily literate, urban elites. This risks reinforcing “digital archival silences” (Risam 2019), effectively “de-silences” gender, while amplifying the silence of rural and non-elite women.

Looking to WWQI’s future, Nayebossadrian says that “the archive’s next chapter should shift from passive preservation to active computational engagement” and focus on improving its platform and technical capabilities to convert “the archive’s rich metadata and manuscript contents into machine-readable formats.”

On June 22 and 23, 2026, the Association for Computers and the Humanities (ACH) will be offering a series of workshops in advance of the ACH 2026 conference. As the pre-conference workshop page explains, this workshop series is a pilot project, aimed at “offering low-cost opportunities for teaching and learning on digital humanities topics that matter to the community.”

The three workshops are:

• DH Pedagogy Studio: Creative and Critical Assignment Design
• Get Started Preserving your Web Content and Data
• Envisioning DH at your Teaching-Focused Institution

Workshops will be taught in English. Those interested in attending a workshop should complete the pre-registration form by May 22, 2026.

The Archival & Digital Media Lab (ADML) and Nasawiyyah: Arab Media History are cohosting Beyond Extraction: Memory in Revolt, a free online seminar series that is

committed to confronting and dismantling the colonial and white supremacist logics that continue to structure archives, media infrastructures, and heritage institutions. Moving beyond extraction as both method and metaphor, the series insists that memory is not a resource to be mined, catalogued, or commodified—but a living terrain of struggle. It spotlights the incredible intergenerational work of students, scholars and practitioners to preserve resistant histories and alternative knowledge in the present and for the future.

Beyond Extraction: Memory in Revolt is part of the Pedagogy for Archival Liberation Project, led by Dr. Jamila Ghaddar (University of Amsterdam), Dr. Mariam Karim (Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South at Northwestern University in Qatar), Rose Miyonga (University of Warwick), and Krystal Payne (University of Manitoba). The Pedagogy for Archival Liberation Project “advances South–South and South–North exchanges that reject extractive knowledge economies and instead cultivate solidarities grounded in accountability, reciprocity, and return.”

The series’ upcoming event is a talk by Dr. Myriam Dalal (Goldsmiths, University of London) on May 6, 2026. Entitled “Guerrilla Public History: Applying a Radical Methodology of Reclaiming History(ies), Stripped Away Through Violence,” those interested in attending can register here.

The National Summit on Local News Preservation is a free event being hosted by the Internet Archive, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), and the Poynter Institute in National Harbor, Maryland on June 17, 2026 in advance of the IRE 2026 conference. As the event site, explains “This event will bring together the producers, preservers, and users of local news to develop collaborative, scalable solutions to address the urgent preservation challenges presented by the rapidly changing local news landscape.” The in-person full day event is free, and there is limited funding for travel expenses. Those interested in attending should register here.

From the job announcement:

The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) University Libraries Section’s (ULS) Professional Development Committee has organized a free online presentation, entitled “Embedding Data Services within a Digital Scholarship Lab.” Speakers Eli Wachter, Jonathan Barber, and Justin Wadland (all Michigan State University) will explore “how to effectively incorporate data services into existing digital scholarship services at an academic library.” From the program description:

An early-career Data Visualization Librarian will begin the program by presenting their experiences joining a new position for a university library’s Digital Scholarship Lab. They will share their strategies of surveying needs with subject liaisons and building relationships with other educational units on campus to inform their priorities in developing data visualization resources and services. To expand beyond individual actions to improve services, an established Data Services Librarian within the same unit will describe his efforts re-establishing a Research Facilitation Network, which highlights and connects the research support services provided throughout the university. In re-establishing this Network, the team adapted the Campus Research Computing Consortium’s Capabilities Model to assess the research computing and data landscape at the university. In addition to building a sense of community among researchers and service providers, the Network provides regular events that address gaps in research support on campus. The unit lead will provide context for the intersection of data services and digital scholarship within academic libraries, using the Big Ten Academic Alliance libraries as a subset model. He will also illustrate how he has used appreciative inquiry to facilitate unit-level strategic planning as an active and ongoing conversation with team members, affiliate faculty, and constituents. In his presentation around strategic planning, he will share approaches for advocating for new positions, refining existing positions to meet emergent needs, and planning within the context of budget reductions.

The presentation will take place April 22, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM Central Time. Registration can be found here.

The Archives, History and Heritage Advanced (AHHA) Internship Program at the Library of Congress is open for applications until April 20, 2026. This program is a ten-week long paid opportunity taking place September 8 –  November 13, 2026 with the expectation that interns will be working for 20 hours each week. Applications should include a resume, legible copy of latest college/university transcripts, names and contact information of two references, and responses to vacancy questions.

From the program:

gives the next generation of archivists and knowledge workers invaluable opportunities to analyze, organize, and interpret collections or programs that help share the story of the American experience. Internships and projects will heighten visibility for Library resources that represent the rich heritage of the United States…

The program focuses on building awareness of how unique historical records are analyzed, organized, and described in order to make them available for research and educational use. Interns will have the opportunity to explore historical documents representing rich creative and intellectual resources, while working under the direction of library specialists in various divisions.

Interns will develop knowledge of the types of materials within the Library’s collections, including how they are collected, acquired, cataloged, preserved, interpreted, and shared, and the procedures governing their use; develop and maintain personal contacts and cooperative work relationships with librarians and others throughout the Library, with colleagues in other intern programs, and with subject matter experts to provide or exchange information; present information to groups and persons with similar understanding of the subject; and attend workshops, seminars, or meetings in relevant fields for professional development.

The program overview includes a list of past projects including:

1. Engaging Youth and Families Onsite at the Library of Congress (Informal Learning Office)
2. Copyright Records Management Inventory (Copyright Office)
3. Providing Public Access to American History within the Holdings of the Manuscript Division (Manuscript Division)
4. American History in the Spanish Foreign Copying Program Records (Manuscript Division)
5. Researching and Curating American Federal Legislative History Materials (Law Library)

There are five onsite and two remote internship projects available.

From the job posting:

Requirements

From the job posting:

Penn State University Libraries seeks applications for the position of Head of Preservation, Conservation, and Digitization (PCD). Reporting to the Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections and Digital Strategies, this tenure-line faculty librarian position provides strategic leadership and administration of the Preservation, Conservation, and Digitization department, including the University’s state-of-the-art Conservation Centre. This position will build on existing efforts to ensure the long-term accessibility of collections in both physical and digital formats.

The successful candidate will direct a talented team, advance innovative practices, cultivate donor and grant support, and represent Penn State University Libraries in national and international collaborations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide leadership and strategic direction for Penn State’s preservation, conservation, and digitization programs:

• Provide strategic leadership for departmental initiatives, preservation and digitization priorities, ensuring alignment with Penn State Libraries’ strategic plan, University goals, and broader collaborations with the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) and peer institutions.
• Lead operations for the Preservation, Conservation, and Digitization department, including budgeting, personnel management, resource management, and technological planning. The Head of PCD will oversee a department of faculty and staff, including supervisors, full-time, and part-time employees.
• Articulate and implement departmental vision and strategies for technology, policy, stewardship, and outreach.

• Work with the Dean’s administrative office and Libraries’ Development team in donor relations, while actively pursuing opportunities to support preservation, conservation, and digitization through grants, gifts, and fundraising.

• Coordinate with other administrators to advance the Libraries’ strategic plan.
• Contribute to library-wide budgeting, planning, and policy development.

• Collaborate with key partners across the University Libraries, including Cataloging and Metadata Services; Libraries Strategic Technologies; the Eberly Family Special Collections Library; Public Relations and Marketing; and Commonwealth Campus Libraries.
• Represent Penn State University Libraries in consortia, regional, and national organizations that focus on preservation, conservation, and digitization, strengthening the University Libraries’ reputation as a leader in these fields.
• Maintain a professional profile through service on relevant professional committees, leadership roles in appropriate professional organizations, and scholarly activity and research.

The goal is to hire the successful candidate at the rank of Associate Librarian or Librarian, and appoint them with tenure within the University Libraries. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in librarianship, show evidence of an established reputation in research and scholarly publishing, and have a strong record of service to the University and the profession. More information about faculty appointments in the University Libraries can be found in the Guideline UL-ACG07 Promotion and Tenure Criteria (https://libraries.psu.edu/policies/ul-acg07).

Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may be appointed with the title of Judith O. Sieg Chair for Preservation, Conservation, and Digitization.

Qualifications:

Required

• A graduate degree in a relevant field
• Demonstrated supervisory experience
• Demonstrated experience building programs, services, and teams

• Leadership experience within digitization, preservation, conservation, or related areas

• Demonstrated knowledge of effective outreach and engagement strategies

• Demonstrated ability to clearly, concisely, effectively and empathetically convey ideas to diverse audiences and stakeholders

• The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues

• Strong collaborative and empathetic leadership skills

• Research and professional accomplishments and record of service in appropriate professional or disciplinary associations as evidence of ability to meet the requirements of a tenure-line position at the University Libraries

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience with budgeting and strategic planning
• Demonstrated experience leading digital initiatives
• Demonstrated experience with disaster planning and recovery for collections
• Record of success in securing and managing grants
• Record of accomplishment in donor relations

About the Preservation, Conservation, and Digitization Department

Located on Penn State’s University Park Campus and at the Conservation Centre, the department plans, manages, and implements programs and services to preserve and make accessible materials and collections for all locations in all formats for use by students, faculty, researchers, and scholars. In pursuit of our mandate, we stabilize, repair, conserve, perform digital production and reformatting services, preserve for the long-term, and offer educational and outreach programs and exhibits.

The University Libraries’ Conservation Centre, four miles west of the University Park campus, is a state-of-the-art facility opened in spring 2019. The staff and equipment have supported collection assessments, bindery activities, conservation of rare and valuable materials, mass deacidification, disaster recovery, as well as a robust undergraduate internship program. Regular onsite presence is expected of this position.

PCD is committed and dedicated to the preservation of the University Libraries collections regardless of format. The PCD department is responsible for preservation of all formats, including paper-based books, works of art on paper, photographs, media and digital. In addition, PCD is responsible for the digitization of collections (in-house and vended) and building collections for online access.

The University Libraries is in the process of a digital library transformation project to identify and implement the future of its digital library program, consolidate siloed collections and applications, and improve access and discovery. The new Head of PCD will be in a position to facilitate and implement this change.

Preservation system

Penn State is a member of the Academic Preservation Trust, Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA), LOCKSS, CLOCKSS, and Digital Preservation Coalition. Penn State’s digital preservation plan and policies are detailed at https://libraries.psu.edu/policies/ulad-19

PCD has a proven record of accomplishment in managing successful grant-funded projects from NEH and CLIR. Since participation in the United States Newspaper Program in 1985, PCD has sought and received numerous external grants that supported preservation microfilming, digitization and cataloging, and public access with funds from NEH totaling over $2.5 million.

PCD has generous endowments to support its mission, and the incumbent will have responsibility for the stewardship of these funds and will participate in cultivation of new and ongoing donor relations as well.

Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate, including a candidate’s qualifications, education, experience, and rank. In addition to a competitive salary, full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits program, generous paid time off, and tuition discount for employees and eligible family members. Total Compensation Calculator provides an estimated summary of the value of compensation and benefits.

Information about the University Libraries’ employment opportunities, processes, and culture can be found at https://libraries.psu.edu/about/jobs

From the job posting:

Job Summary: The Law School Digital Initiatives and Systems Librarian oversees the library’s technology infrastructure. Oversees acquisition of library technical systems. Maintains and updates existing systems and staff training. Designs and maintains the library’s website. Provides long-term planning. Collaborates in the provision of research, reference, and instructional services.

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Additional Department Summary: Oversees and manages all systems, technologies, and initiatives related to library operations and digitization efforts. Ensures seamless access to digital library resources and materials. Identifies, sets, and implements standards and best practices for library systems and technologies. Develops innovative solutions for resource preservation, discovery, and access. Spearheads special projects to support technological innovation within the law library. Works collaboratively with others to coordinate efforts, serving as a liaison with other departments, vendors, and staff. Serves as the administrator and primary point of contact for the library’s integrated library system, research guides platform, and digital repository. Manages grants and other project monies tied to digitization and preservation initiatives. Supervises staff and students engaged in digitization projects, and provides leadership, guidance, and support. Participates in collection development activities, assist with outreach initiatives, and engage in strategic and budget planning with the library’s administrative team.

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Required Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree and some experience including digital library initiatives, digitization, metadata or technical services, and/or digital archives or preservation.

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Skills and Knowledge: Working knowledge of one or more digital library management systems such as CONTENTdm, Islandora, DSpace, or Omeka. Demonstrated project management skills and/or formal training in project management or workflow optimization/evaluation. Ability to work in a team-based setting where consultation, flexibility, collaboration, cooperation, and resilience are essential. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

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Preferred Qualifications: Three (3) years related experience involving digital library initiatives, digitization, metadata or technical services, and/or digital archives or preservation.

Perspectives on History, the newsmagazine of the American Historical Association (AHA), has published an article, “What Altering Historical Images Can Teach Us About History” by Mary D. Lewis (Harvard University). Lewis’s piece discusses generative AI, noting that the August 2025 Guiding Principles for Artificial Intelligence in History Education included an “appended chart suggesting that students could ‘ask generative AI to produce a historical image for a paper or presentation.'” Lewis expressed shock, noting that “AI cannot produce historical images, only simulations thereof.”

Instead of asking her students to use generative AI to create “simulations” of historical images, Lewis created an assignment for her modern French history course that focused on encouraging critical thinking about the nature of images and media:

Rather than “produce a historical image,” which would be ahistorical, I want students to think about the historicity of real historical images and to reflect on how easily they can be manipulated. Concerned with the alteration of images I had seen on social media, I created an assignment in a fall 2024 lecture course that instructed students to modify a real historical image and then reflect on how manipulating it affected their understanding of the original image.

While this assignment did not use generative AI in the iteration discussed in this piece, Lewis expects that more students will choose to use AI tools as she reuses this assignment in future. As Lewis explains, while her students didn’t create historical images, “They manipulated one. And learned much more about history—and dare I say about the pitfalls of simulation—by analyzing that manipulation.”