Post by Marlena Carrillo, Digital Initiatives Coordinator in the Digital Initiatives unit of the USF Libraries
The Digital Initiatives team is proud to announce the completion of a major digitization project: over 4,400 items from the Florida Ornithological Society (FOS) Records are now available online. These materials, selected for their research value and copyright status, represent a significant portion of the 38-box archival collection donated to USF Libraries by the Florida Ornithological Society.
About the Collection
The FOS archival collection is a rich resource for understanding Florida’s avian history and conservation efforts. It features documents, photographs, and audio-visual materials that immortalize decades of work to protect Florida’s bird species—including records of species that are now extinct, such as the Dusky Seaside Sparrow.
The collection includes:
- Archival back-ups of the FOS Newsletter and the Florida Field Naturalist journal
- Correspondence, bird counts, banding records, rare bird sighting alerts, and field notes
- Manuscripts, audio cassette tapes, films, and administrative records
- Field notebooks from renowned ornithologists such as Allan and Helen G. Cruickshank, Samuel A. Grimes, Lyle S. Hubbard, and Dr. Herbert W. Kale II
Many photographs and audio recordings document the people and events of FOS biannual meetings, offering a unique glimpse into the camaraderie of the organization. Importantly, the collection reflects contributions from both professional and non-professional ornithologists and birders, underscoring FOS’s mission to unite amateurs and experts in advancing ornithological research.
About the Florida Ornithological Society
Founded in 1972 during a meeting of ornithologists and birders in St. Petersburg, FOS was established “to enable serious birders to better enjoy themselves in the field while rendering assistance to professional ornithologists.” Since its first official meeting in Lakeland later that year, FOS has worked to foster collaboration and advance research.
FOS publishes the Florida Field Naturalist journal (since 1973) and special publications such as Status and Distribution of the Florida Scrub Jay. The organization also sponsors biannual meetings across Florida and awards the Helen G. and Allan D. Cruickshank Research Award to support studies of Florida birds.
One of FOS’s most notable projects was the Florida Breeding Bird Atlas, a collaboration with Audubon Florida and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Mobilizing over 1,800 volunteers, the project produced critical data on the species, distribution, and abundance of breeding birds in the state.
Explore the Digitized Collection
This digitization effort ensures that researchers, students, and bird enthusiasts worldwide can access invaluable resources dating as far back as the 1920s. With its unique insights into the history of ornithology, conservation efforts, and the dedicated individuals who shaped the study of Florida’s avifauna, the collection ensures a diverse audience of professionals and hobbyists alike can explore all things avian.