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collections: library digitization projects -- preserving the history and culture of Afghanistan.

This project, still in its early stages, uses equipment funded by a 2002 grant from the University of Nebraska Foundation, to convert selected materials from the nationally recognized Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection to digital formats. While all of the texts selected for digital conversion are important sources for scholars and researchers, many may be even more valuable to the peoples of Afghanistan.

Libraries and cultural institutions throughout Afghanistan were devastated by a quarter-century of conflict and many vital texts were lost. The University Library initiated this multi-year project to support an electronic repository that insures the preservation and availability of these materials.

Recent news coverage:
Preserving Afghanistan's present and past
C&RL News, April 2004

A small image displaying a portion of one page from the 1990 Constitution of Afghanistan

The Constitutions of Afghanistan

In 2003, Shaista Wahab, librarian for the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection, served as the Archivist for the Constitutional Loya Jirga, Afghanistans General Assembly, as it worked to write a new constitution for Afghanistan. The constitutional history of Afghanistan thus became a logical focus for the initial stages of this project.
Illustration of an Afghan warrior on horseback, probably dated to the 1800s

Books of Historical and Cultural Significance

Historical texts provide researchers with primary source materials. Contained within this collection are first-hand accounts of the British military and their exploits in the country during the early- and mid-1800s. In addition, selected items provide early scholarly research on the tribes and peoples of Afghanistan. Complementing historical texts, cultural texts offer insight into societal developments in Afghanistan. Poetry, literature, and personal narratives often reflect the times in which they are written. Items included in this collection present alternative perspectives into the history of the country and its varied cultures.
Pict of the Soviet Afghan War Medal given to all Soviet personnel who served in Afghanistan. The Soviet and Afghan flags fly next to one another with the Afghan flag in the foreground.

Artifacts, Maps, Newspapers, Photographs

The Collection includes many materials that are not books. Photographs, maps, newspapers, and some artifacts are included in the holdings. A unique oral history collection on the impact of the Soviet invasion on Afghan refugees and others is also available.
Picture of a book being scanned, the worker is wearing a cotton glove to protect the fragile book from skin oils

Preserving the Texts: Our Process

An overview of the digitization process and development of a "best practices" digital repository for the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
The arched doorway to an Afghan building showing elaborate and colorfile tile work

Related Resources

Additional information on the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection, the Collection librarian's work in Afghanistan, and UNO's Center for Afghanistan Studies; resources on Afghanistan; and information about best practices for digital collections.