San Jacinto College (SJC) has launched its new digital archive using Amigos Library Services' (Amigos) Digital Repository Service. Publicly accessible at archive.sanjac.edu, the San Jacinto College Library Archive showcases collections of deep importance to local history, environmental awareness, and community memory, while representing a successful collaboration between Amigos and the SJC Library team.
A preservation need becomes a public resource
This initiative began when the family of Marie Flickinger, a prominent community figure and former SJC Board of Trustees Chair, gifted her papers to San Jacinto College. The library was tasked with identifying a sustainable, accessible digital archive hosting solution for the materials that would allow for continued growth. Cost-effectiveness and ease of use proved central to the College’s decision-making process, leading them to select the Hyku platform through Amigos’ Digital Repository Service.
Two key features shaped their choice: the ability to host multiple collections, each discoverable and searchable at the collection level; and a streamlined batch import workflow that made large-scale ingest straightforward for staff.
A collaborative journey from interest to launch
Amigos collaborated closely with San Jacinto College on their implementation, which progressed easily from their initial expression of interest in June 2025 to Amigos providing a sandbox environment the next month. Work began in September to set up the production repository, and the San Jacinto College Library Archive launched to faculty, students, and the broader community in December.
The San Jacinto College team, including Systems Librarian Pamela Wells, Central Library Director Karen Blankenship, and Head of Cataloging Services Rudy Silva, led the project, customized the interface, and handled metadata creation for uploading archival materials, working closely with Amigos Technology Solutions staff throughout the implementation.
The SJC library team has already begun uploading photographs and documents, primarily from the Marie Flickinger Papers. Another early set of materials emphasizes the history of the Brio Superfund Site in Friendswood, Texas, a man-made environmental disaster that had long-lasting effects on the community. "This repository allows us to show off our visual collections that usually go unseen by the public," San Jacinto’s staff shared.
Early impact and community value
San Jacinto College anticipates that the archive will serve multiple audiences, including students researching environmental pollution and federal Superfund sites, activists studying past environmental disasters, and residents exploring their community’s history. According to the SJC library, digital collections spread awareness about the effects of industrial pollution and highlight the efforts of those who worked to remediate the damage.
Early reactions have been enthusiastic. College leaders praised the "look and feel" of the patron-facing interface, and staff reported that the batch import process significantly streamlined the workflow. The repository's flexibility has already opened the door to future growth, with the College planning to add collections documenting San Jacinto College's history.
What distinguishes Amigos' approach
Amigos' Digital Repository Service is powered by Hyku, but this open-source technology is just one part of the offering. The service is characterized by a member-led, partnership-driven model designed to keep costs low and development sustainable. Amigos has invested in Hyku as an affordable repository solution for libraries and cultural heritage institutions of all types and sizes. By actively participating in the broader Hyku open-source community, Amigos ensures that the service remains responsive to the evolving needs of libraries and cultural heritage organizations.
This approach resonated with San Jacinto College. Beyond the technical infrastructure, the library emphasized the value of having a supportive team and the ability to offer enhancement suggestions grounded in real-world workflows.
A first among several libraries
San Jacinto College is the first to launch its digital archive with Amigos, soon followed by Mid America Christian University, New Mexico Highlands University, and the University of Central Missouri’s Department of Educational Technology & Library Science, all of which have now partnered with Amigos' Digital Repository Service.
Each institution is developing a repository shaped by its own unique collections and audiences. As more repositories come online, they will demonstrate and provide guidance on the adaptability and reach of the Digital Repository Service.
Looking ahead
With its launch complete, San Jacinto College plans to continue adding materials and expanding access. Karen Blankenship at San Jacinto said, "Hyku was very easy to implement. I would recommend it to libraries looking to start an archival collection even with limited funds available." For Amigos, the milestone underscores the importance of accessible digital preservation and the power of collaborative implementation. Readers can explore the new archive at archive.sanjac.edu and learn more by contacting Amigos at technologysolutions@amigos.org .