By Tisha Whitmill
An online database of religious images is available to BYU students through the Harold B. Lee Library.
The database consists of more than 3,000 archived and digitalized photographs, paintings, maps and other religious images. The images come with information about historical background, geography, related topics, and even has links to early church documents and stories.
The site is a free service and can be accessed at http://relarchive.byu.edu/im_coll/.
The idea for the site formulated over five years ago and is in line with what libraries all over the country are beginning to do.
'There''s a revolution going on that is similar to what was happening in the 16th century with the printing press,' said Scott Eldredge, program manager for digital initiative.
Eldredge said that the university wanted to use the new technology to meet the university and library''s mission, which is to educate minds and spirits.
Cali O''Connell, administrative assistant at the Lee library, said that another purpose of the site is to make religious images available worldwide to seminary teachers, gospel doctrine teachers, and church members. She said that the site can make a huge difference in the lives of church members who don''t have easy access to religious images.
'If I''m teaching early morning seminary in Vermont, or Texas, or Chile, I can''t run to the distribution center,' O''Connell said.
The images come from a compilation of personal collections from BYU faculty members. The site will be updated as new images become available. There all also plans to add more stories and documents.
Although the site has only been operational for a few months it has already received tens of thousands of hits. Traffic is expected to increase after more people discover the site.
'We know that once church members find out what is there, it will sell itself,' said O''Connell. 'They''ll keep coming back.'