Dr. Hector P. García collection goes digital

Beatriz Alvarado
Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Dr. Hector P. García donated his collection of papers and memorabilia to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 1990.

Now the university is going to share it with the world.

'That's the most important thing,' Garcia's daughter, Cecilia Garcia Akers said. 'That my father's collection will be available to the entire world. Finally people will learn about him and all his work.'

The university announced this week an undetermined portion of the collection will be digitized by an outside agency. Access will be available to all. Specifics are being worked out, but it is anticipated there will be a link off the library's special collection's website and through other online resources for state libraries.

Library director Catherine Rudowsky said the about $600,000 project would have taken about 20 years if it were done in-house. It will take about a year to digitize the static images, newspaper clippings, letters and video and audio files of the one of university's most prized collections.

'It's important that we advance this knowledge outside the confines of this location,' she said. 'The outcome will justify the price.'

The digitization process will begin in coming weeks and an online exhibit will be ready for Dr. Hector P. García Day, which is celebrated every third Wednesday of September.

Contract proposals from two northeastern agencies are being considered, one of which will be signed this week, Rudowsky said.

Garcia, a Corpus Christi physician and champion of Mexican-American civil rights, donated 600 feet of records, 300 boxes and drawers full of audio and visual material and artifacts such as buttons, plaques, medical bags and stethoscopies. Among the highlights are letters to and from former presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kelly Quintanilla said the university being entrusted with the collection warrants a responsibility to champion initiatives such as the digitization.

She said it took a 'team effort' on behalf of several university employees and Garcia's family to tailor an initiative, which will benefit scholars and researchers for years to come.

'This is one of many different initiatives to (prolong Dr. Garcia's legacy) on campus,' she said. 'As (provost and vice president for academic affairs), the fact that this one in particular will reach scholars and researchers is really exciting.'

Twitter: @CallerBetty
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