AI Unearths Untold Stories:
Slave Societies Digital Archive
A working group of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Member Engagement and Outreach Committee hosted the ninth annual ARL Film Festival (the ARLIES) during the evening of Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the 184th Spring Association Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. The film festival highlighted and shared multimedia products developed by member institutions to increase knowledge and use of libraries and their spaces, services, collections, and expertise. We encouraged submissions that reflect diversity of the user population. Submissions were limited to ARL member libraries.
To view all entries and read descriptions, please visit the 2024 ARLIES Submissions page.
2024 ARLIES Winners
Best Collections-Focused Film: Vanderbilt University, AI Unearths Untold Stories: Slave Societies Digital Archive
Jad Abumrad and Jane Landers
Historians Jane Landers and Daniel Genkins (VU Libraries) leverage artificial intelligence and computer science techniques to scan through thousands of historical documents to form the Slave Societies Digital Archive, the world’s largest collection of historical records of Africans in the Atlantic World.
Best Development/Fundraising Film: University of Louisville, Barry Bingham, Jr. Courier-Journal Photograph Collection Promotional Video
Cecilia Durbin
The video highlights the historical significance of the three million items in the Barry Bingham, Jr. Courier-Journal Photograph Collection and invites potential donors to contribute to the preservation and expansion of this culturally important collection.
Best Free-Form Film: Yale University, Handsome Dan’s Favorite Places, Episode 3: Bass Library
Kassandra Haro, Kelly Marie Blanchat
Handsome Dan, Yale University’s bulldog mascot, explores Bass Library’s study spaces, services, collections, and famous water bottle collection.
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Best How-To/Instruction Film: Tulane University, How to Play Vinyl Records—Tutorial
Alan Velasquez / Josh Windham
In this video Tulane University Libraries’ Media Services department covers how to properly handle and play vinyl records using a record player.
Best Publicity/Marketing Film: University of Ottawa, The Canadian Women’s Movements Portal hosted by the University of Ottawa Library / Bibliothèque de l’Université d’Ottawa
University of Ottawa Library and University of Ottawa Donor Relations
Promotional video created for the Women’s Movements Portal tool, a resource hosted by the uOttawa Library.
Best Research Film: Smithsonian Libraries & Archives, Introducing the Audiovisual Media Preservation Initiative
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives (SLA) is excited to introduce the Audiovisual Media Preservation Initiative (AVMPI), a centralized resource that supports the overall need for individual Smithsonian units to catalog, preserve, and provide access to our audiovisual collections.
Learn more: https://avpreservation.si.edu
Best Reflection of Inclusion: University of Miami, Preserving Cuban Voices: The Oral History Archives of the University of Miami Libraries Cuban Heritage Collection
Produced by University of Miami Communications
A short film showcasing the importance of preserving Cuban heritage through oral histories from members of the exile community and diaspora as well as individuals still residing on the island.
Best Production (Tie): The University of British Columbia, Expanding the Japanese Special Collection at UBC Asian Library
Matt Patton, Anna Moorhouse, Michelle Blackwell
UBC Library showcases several recently acquired rare titles in its Japanese Collections.
Best Production (Tie): Vanderbilt University, AI Unearths Untold Stories: Slave Societies Digital Archive
Jad Abumrad and Jane Landers
Historians Jane Landers and Daniel Genkins (VU Libraries) leverage artificial intelligence and computer science techniques to scan through thousands of historical documents to form the Slave Societies Digital Archive, the world’s largest collection of historical records of Africans in the Atlantic World.
Best Humor: BYU Library — Brigham Young University, Geico Ad Compilation
Mike Hill
Promotion of BYU Library Services
Best Performance: University of Minnesota, Wednesday Welcomes You!
Lacie McMillin
Wednesday from the Addams Family welcomes students to the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Best in Show: Vanderbilt University, AI Unearths Untold Stories: Slave Societies Digital Archive
Jad Abumrad and Jane Landers
Historians Jane Landers and Daniel Genkins (VU Libraries) leverage artificial intelligence and computer science techniques to scan through thousands of historical documents to form the Slave Societies Digital Archive, the world’s largest collection of historical records of Africans in the Atlantic World.
