Mission Statement
The mission of Burbank in Focus is to assemble, digitize, and make web-accessible historical photos that represent Burbank’s heritage for the benefit of both the local community and researchers world-wide.
Goals
• Sustain a usable, viable, accessible, and relevant online collection
• Promote preservation awareness and appreciation for local history through community outreach
Our History
In October 2014, just as Burbank Public Library was looking at how to highlight its local history materials, a community member at a Burbank Town Hall Meeting suggested a collection of local photos as a way to increase civic pride. The notion of a digital photo collection that Burbankers and others who love Burbank could access from anywhere was born. The Library sought grant funding with the aim of setting up a site that provides access and helps preserve the rich history of Burbank. Funding for equipment, training and a searchable platform came from a US Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant through the California State Library’s Pitch an Idea Grant program. The City Clerk’s Office came on board as the first project partner, providing boxes of photos covering all aspects of Burbank life.
While Burbank in Focus is now in its infancy, the collection and knowledge it contains will grow with help from community members and institutional partners.