Innovative Use of Transportation Enhancement Funds to Develop a Historical Archive and Digital Database

Abstract

In 2004, concerned employees of the Iowa Department of Transportation, with management approval, formed a committee that sought to identify, preserve, and provide access to the historic photo and document collections at the agency. Utilizing the U.S. Federal Highway Administration's Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP), the committee applied for and received a grant of $50,000. A plan of action was subsequently developed, which included a mission statement and a vision for the future. In 2005, a Request for a Proposal (RFP) to hire an archival consultant was developed and posted. In February of the following year, a consultant was hired. After a site visit, the consultant prepared a report on preliminary findings and a possible plan of action; Phase I of the TEP grant had been completed. During Phase II, amendments to the budget and plan of action were secured; a policy and procedures manual was developed; interns were hired; a climate-controlled, secure archive room was established; and digital image databases were created, thereby fulfilling the implementation requirements of the grant. This paper documents the steps involved in this process and demonstrates how Transportation Enhancement Funds were used to develop a historical archive and digital database.