thinking outside the strongroom | dcdc14

Thinking outside the Strongroom:

Exploring new directions in community

engagement

Sarah Tester

Community Collections & Outreach Archivist

Sarah.Tester@exploreyork.org.uk

/ExploreLibrariesandArchives@YorkArchivesUK #gatewaytohistory

http://citymakinghistory.wordpress.com

Introduction to

York: Gateway to History

“York: Gateway to History is an exciting project to create a 21st

century Archive and Local History Service for York – a service

which serves and reflects all communities and cultures, past

and present, in this ancient city”

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

Introduction to

York: Gateway to History

Building a network of ‘community champions’

Supporting community groups in identifying,

managing and using their archive collections

Exploring new and long lasting ways of working

with community groups beyond the funded project

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

How we engaged with York’s

CommunitiesCommunities were asked as part of informal group and 1:1

meetings:

What support do you need for your archives?

Do you want to keep or deposit your archive?

How do you want to work with us?

111 individuals from 44 different community groups fed into

this process

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

What we discoveredOverwhelming support for the York: Gateway to History project

and Explore resulting in all 44 groups becoming Archive

champions

Less demand for archive training than anticipated

Unexpected demand for innovative projects in collaboration

with Explore

Our approach is successful!

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

Lessons learned:

Listen to new ideas

Lord Deramore’s Primary School Research ProjectEngaging schools in archives and local history through

historical research for classroom activities

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

Lessons learned:

Be responsive

Normandy Veterans Association York BranchGenerating new archives through collaboration and memory

gathering

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

Lessons learned:

Be transparent and clear

York’s Alternative History GroupSharing a local perspective on First World War history

through a touring WW1 banner exhibition

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

Lessons learned:

Compromise and be flexible

Wiggington Parish

Council

Transforming a cupboard

into a community archive

through professional

guidance and support

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

Lessons learned:

Use your community spaces

Poppleton History SocietyDiscovering new ways of using branch libraries to promote

local history

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

Lessons learned:

Summary

Listen to new ideas

Be Responsive

Be transparent and clear

Compromise and be flexible

Use your community spaces

Be the link between your organisation and community –

never underestimate the value of a friendly face!

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

Challenging community engagement

in the archive sectorOur approach is the subject of PhD study at the University of

York

York: Gateway to History has a legacy, driving community

engagement for Explore and beyond

Are we over-reliant on the case studies presented to us from our

own sector?

Should the archivist seek to behave more flexibly in the

community?

@YorkArchivesUK#gatewaytohistory

Thank YouQuestions/comments?

Sarah Tester

Community Collections & Outreach Archivist

Sarah.Tester@exploreyork.org.uk

/ExploreLibrariesandArchives@YorkArchivesUK #gatewaytohistory

http://citymakinghistory.wordpress.com