BELFAST — The Belfast Free Library has begun a new digital archives project, called the “Belfast Free Library COVID-19 Community Archives.”

In an effort to document and preserve stories of how COVID-19 has reshaped the lives of Maine people, the Belfast Free Library joins a number of other Maine libraries that are working together on an unprecedented archiving project made available online and subsequently preserved for future generations, according to the Library, in a news release.

The “Belfast Free Library COVID-19 Community Archives” is a collaborative effort to document life in Belfast and Waldo County during the COVID-19 pandemic. All community members are invited to share stories, images, and other items that they have created to illustrate their pandemic experiences. They can upload text, images, vidoes, audio files, or other documents at the website listed below. Creativity is encouraged, and materials from individuals of all ages are welcome. Examples of possible submissions include photographs, artwork, poems, letters, interviews, journal entries, lists, schedules, videos, blog posts, or other material that the individual has created.

“Please join this endeavor to preserve the history of the coronavirus pandemic!” said the Library.

The project was made possible with Federal CARES Act funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

To visit the archives or to submit material, please visit https://belfastfreelibrary.omeka.net/.

Please contact the Belfast Free Library at 338-3884 ext. 25 for more information.