The Portal to Texas History has proven to be a treasure trove of information for genealogists, historians and even that grandchild who wants to read about grandpa’s high school football team or grandma’s valedictorian speech. Listen to Dr. Ana Krahmer, director of the Digital Newspaper Program, University of North Texas Libraries, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, at the Allen Public Library. 

A passionate and dedicated public servant, Dr. Krahmer collaborates with a team of people who perform the daily nitty gritty work of scanning newspapers, processing them, and providing descriptive records for them. She explains, ‘What drives my work is a love of history and a love of learning about community stories, and a love of knowing that we are preserving those stories forever.  Being able to work with people who can use the newspapers to uncover family mysteries, stories from their childhoods, or just information about their communities always makes my day better.”

With a grant awarded by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, the Allen Public Library began digitizing archival editions of Allen American newspapers in 2022. To date, 77,000 files have been added and an impressive 24,000 users have researched the files.      

Sponsored by the Allen Public Library and Allen Heritage Guild, this program is free.

Can’t be there in person? The program will be streamed live on ACTV. Find viewing options at Watch ACTV or view online at  ACTV.org or YouTube.com/AllenCityTV

The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.