The Smithsonian Institute is home to a large collection of archival material in need of transcribing, including "field notes, diaries, ledgers, logbooks, currency proof sheets, photo albums, manuscripts, biodiversity specimens" and other material that may be of interest to students and scholars across disciplines. To address this need, the Institute has invited members of the general public to participate in transcribing these materials, offering an opportunity that may appeal to classroom instructors and researchers alike. Those interested in participating in transcription can browse the complete collection or by museums and archives or by theme (e.g. Art & Design, Biodiverse Planet, World Cultures). Once visitors find a project they are interested in participating in, they can view a tutorial that explains the transcription process. All items are checked by Smithsonian staff as part of the final step, offering transcribers of all experience levels the opportunity to contribute to an important research project with the peace of mind. Just a few of the collections in need of transcription include notes from arctic explorer Charles Francis Hall, letters received by the North Carolina Assistant Commissioner of the Freedman's Bureau, and the work of astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt.