Digitizing Polynesian Photographs in American Samoa

The purpose of this study is to explore the collection of Polynesian photographs that have been digitized at the Feleti Barstow Public Library in American Samoa, Oceania. This is a descriptive, case study. Qualitative research method has been adopted as the main method, with the participant observation and personal interview as the approaches for data collection. Subject scope of this paper is focused on the collection of approximately 4,000 items of Polynesian photographs, which the Feleti Barstow Public Library has acquired by way of smooth transfer from the American Samoa Government Office of Archives and Records Management, the Jean P. Haydon Museum, and the American Samoa Historical Preservation Office. In the course of the study, the author found that nearly 3900 items of Polynesian photographs, which were formerly uncataloged and virtually inaccessible to the public, have now been electronically digitized and catalogued, thereby making them available to the people of American Samoa, and through the planned library web-based catalog, to other libraries, institutions, and individuals throughout the world. For limitations, this study is confined itself to exploring Polynesian photograph collections and interviewing library staff in the Pacific Collection Room at the Feleti Barstow Public Library in American Samoa. Therefore, it is suggested that future research should be conducted beyond the current geographical boundary, i.e., to study the Polynesian photograph collections in other libraries, institutions, researcher centers, and associations in the South Pacific region, and possibly, throughout the world. The results of this research would have the significant practical implications to the practice of centralizing and digitizing library collections, as well as to the practice of preserving and disseminating indigenous photographs. The value of this paper would be unmeasurable in terms of its contributions to the global understanding of the people, history, and culture of Polynesia through the online sharing of local Polynesian photographs that have been mostly unknown and largely unavailable to the public. This paper would also prove to be of lasting value of preserving visual images of cultural heritage to the librarians, historians, photographers, and the worldwide Internet users, as well as to the people of Polynesia and their future generations.