A signature initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the WebWise Conference annually brings together representatives of museums, libraries, archives, systems science, education, and other fields to explore the many opportunities made possible by digital technologies. WebWise 2012 will take up the theme of "Tradition and Innovation," investigating how libraries and museums have used digital technologies to help scholars, students, educators, and the general public understand history and the humanities. Taking special note of the unique contributions that historical societies, public libraries, and other small and local organizations make to humanities scholarship and education, WebWise 2012 will surface the challenges these organizations have faced in doing digital work, highlight the often under-appreciated contributions they have made in this area, and bring them into more fruitful conversation with colleagues in larger organizations and in the arts and sciences.