Building Representative Community Archives
Inclusive Strategies in Practice
Format:Paperback
Publisher:American Library Association
Published:2nd Jan '24
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Libraries and archives are grappling with the problems created by collection practices of the past, many of which document those in power while bypassing alternate perspectives and stories. This volume examines continuing efforts in archives across the U.S. to build inclusive records that better represent the disparate histories of this country. It details varying approaches to uplifting community and activist archives that are working to preserve parallel histories, outlining a way forward that will help special collections librarians as they design projects in the future. Readers will discover
- the importance and value of records that preserve complicated, nuanced, and diverse histories;
- differences between community-created archives, community-centered archives, and archives that simply document various communities, made with little or no consultation of those whose histories are witnessed in the records;
- background on institutions’ recent collecting efforts, with case studies that illustrate innovative approaches, new techniques, errors and pitfalls, and the resilience and patience necessary to build collections;
- first-hand accounts by archivists in community organizations who are working within networks of trust to preserve and tell stories;
- how archivists are reassessing and reprocessing collections to bring the many and various stories they witness to the fore by employing changes in description detail or terminology;
- guidance on conducting, transcribing, and making accessible oral histories; and
- considerations of how to best use available resources, including equipment, time, people, and funding.
"Valuable to the archival field for its variety ... This book does an impeccable job focusing on the trust building needed in this archiving work with communities. Since the hegemony of white, male, western-colonial historical narratives tend to permeate into so many facets of our society, this book can be suggested to any archivist across the field who wishes to embed its practices in their role and counter historical marginalization."
— Journal of Western Archives
"This book is appropriate and useful for all library and archives professionals, whether experienced or new to their field, who are interested in cultivating more inclusive, representative collections, or reviewing and updating their existing holdings. Reading all 10 case studies provides a broad and thorough overview of the various types of projects being done; however, the book’s structure is such that the reader can easily jump around and read those case studies that may be most relevant to their collections and current projects. This book does not assume to have all the answers; in fact, the authors openly discuss their failures and shortcomings, but it shows that there are many ways to approach building representative archives, regardless of institutional size or availability of resources. As projects of this kind continue to grow in number and significance, resources such as this provide an excellent opportunity to learn from and share with our peers and the community." - Technical Services Quarterly
ISBN: 9780838939598
Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 18mm
Weight: 399g
288 pages