DSS was originally instituted to create and steward digital collections for Lafayette Special Collections & College Archives. Today, DSS retains a focus on digital archives, with emphases in the following areas:

Lafayette College history and institutional identity. DSS undertakes digitization initiatives for Special Collections & College Archives, as well as other campus units.

Faculty and student research data in the humanities, arts, and social and environmental sciences.  DSS offers digitization and research data management consultation to create and curate digital research collections of text files, image files, geospatial data, and other raw materials of digital scholarship.

Community-engaged collection-building. DSS works with community partners at regional public libraries and cultural institutions to build digital archival and research collections.

Digital pedagogy. DSS provides pedagogical consultation, workshops, and curriculum development services to incorporate digital humanities tools and methods in teaching.

Our mission is to partner with students, faculty, and community members to create, sustain, and disseminate digital scholarly projects, research, and collections, according to the following criteria:

  • Multidisciplinary interest. We prioritize projects that will benefit multiple areas of the College and add long-term value to the academic program.
  • Alignment with the Lafayette College values of Diversity & Inclusion, Sustainability, and Community Engagement.
  • Potential for student involvement through classroom projects and undergraduate research opportunities.
  • A regional focus on Lafayette College and/or the Lehigh Valley.