Fairhaven Star Temporarily Going Offline

Fairhaven Star Information Block from first issue in 1879.

Recently, we learned that our host for the digitized Fairhaven Star is retiring the software that supports the online access to the resource. The Millicent Library was given very little notice to find a compatible provider to migrate our collection. As a result, the Fairhaven Star is scheduled to go offline on June 27, 2024.

The Millicent Library is committed to maintaining online access to this historically valuable resource. We have been working urgently to find an affordable option that can migrate the digitized data to ensure it remains searchable and viewable.

We are currently planning to utilize Digital Commonwealth, a non-profit collaborative organization founded in 2006 in partnership with the Boston Public Library. Digital Commonwealth provides resources and services to support the creation, management, and dissemination of cultural heritage materials held by Massachusetts libraries, museums, historical societies, archives, and other cultural institutions.

We estimate that the Fairhaven Star will be available via the Digital Commonwealth in about six to eight months. This timeline is based on the preparation work needed on the digital files by library staff and the workload of the Digital Commonwealth.

During the period the Fairhaven Star is offline, the Millicent Library will be happy to assist patrons in finding information. However, limited staff time may result in delays in locating and providing information.

Updates on the Fairhaven Star migration project will be posted at MillicentLibrary.org. For more information about the Digital Commonwealth, please visit DigitalCommonwealth.org.