Old newspapers to be preserved on microfilm

Terra Titsworth, archival manager for imaging and preservation Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, Arkansas State Archives, and Matt Myers, an archival assistant, came to Manila recently picking up several issues of the Manila Sentinel spanning 1951-1959 and 1960 to 1966, along with a few miscellaneous scattered issues of the Town & Country and The Town Crier. They met with local historian Donna Jackson who expressed her appreciation to them and their staff for the work they do to preserve the newspapers which contain so much local history.

“It is an important job putting the pages on microfilm for future preservation,” Jackson said.

Titsworth said her job consists of a lot of things including ironing newspapers to working with publishers, genealogical societies and county officials on special projects.

Myers maintains the dark room, duplicates and processes the film. He maintains the inventory and films current publications.

“In the last year, we have completely upgraded all of our equipment, which has been challenging but very beneficial,” Titsworth said. “We currently collect and preserve 75 Arkansas publications, down from 126 in 2016 when I started.”

The original books and newspapers will be returned to the school museum, located in the former Snider Library, on the Manila school campus. Copies of the microfilm will be kept in the archives and one will be stored at the main street museum.