Brian Jennings is seeking to bridge a two-year gap in Nyack history.

The local history librarian at is currently working to digitize copies of the Rockland County Journal, Nyack's former newspaper of record, from 1890 to 1892—the dates of Edward Hopper's formative years in the village. Currently, issues of Rockland County Journal—a weekly periodical that ceased publication in 1915—spanning from 1850 to 1884 are online.

"But the years we now seek to digitize offer the most complete information on what life was like in Nyack during the artist Hopper's formative years," Jennings said. Hopper, whose childhood house is now a museum on North Broadway, was born in 1882. Jennings added that in many cases, the stories and headlines in the Rockland County Journal are the only records of Nyack during that period.

"This is our window into that time," he said, noting all people of that era have since passed on, and, other than the occasional footnote in an historical book, there is no comprehensive literature. But converting antiquated ink and paper and negative reels to digital content can be a costly undertaking. Professionals have to scan the negatives, segment them by page, rename and date them, and ensue quality control—that is, take care that each page is focused and in proper order.

"Quality control is the really expensive part," Jennings said.

For just the 1890 to 1982 negatives, Nyack Library will need $3,000. And while in the past the Historical Society of the Nyacks, library employees and volunteers, and village trustees have helped finance the project, Jennings decided to turn to the broader public.

"I though, 'let's see if online fundraising makes sense,'" he said. Jennings set up a Kickstarter website to raise money—anyone, anywhere can contribute to the $3,000 goal. If the number is met before April 22, the project moves forward. If not, all donors are refunded. (It's the same fundraising approach Gypsy Donut, one of Nyack's newest eateries, is currently using. Learn more .)