he & archives: forging a new relationship in essex sarah girling cultural access, learning and...
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HE & Archives: Forging a new relationship in EssexSarah GirlingCultural Access, Learning and Participation Officer
University of Essex student visits
• Essex Record Office• Aims• The team• What we delivered• Who took part• Evaluation• What next?
Essex Record Office
• Based in Chelmsford
• Founded in 1938
Essex Record Office
• 8 miles of archival shelving
• Home to the ESVA
Aims
• Target young people – break down barriers
Ages of visitors to ERO (PSQG Survey 2012)
Aims
• Target young people – break down barriers
• Why University of Essex?• Give the students ideas for research
topics – foster repeat visits• Increase use of Searchroom
Chart showing declining physical visits
Aims
• Target young people – break down barriers
• Why University of Essex?• Give the students ideas for research
topics – foster repeat visits• Increase use of Searchroom• Introduce students to Seax, original
documents and Searchroom technology
Aims
• Target young people – break down barriers
• Why University of Essex?• Give the students ideas for research
topics – foster repeat visits• Increase use of Searchroom• Introduce students to Seax, original
documents and Searchroom technology • Critical awareness when using sources
The Team
• Neil Wiffen – PST Manager• Sarah Girling – Heritage Education Officer• Hannah Salisbury – Audience
Development Officer• Ruth Costello – Archivist• Tony King – Senior Conservator• Martin Astell – Sound & Video Archivist• Archive Assistants Grahame Harris, Edd Harris, Gloria
Harris and Sarah Ensor
What we delivered
• Behind-the-scenes tour– Searchroom– Repositories– Conservation Studio– ERO ‘Treasures’
What we delivered
• Behind-the-scenes tour• Case studies• Introduction to original documents
What we delivered
• Behind-the-scenes tour• Case studies• Introduction to original documents• Introduction to Essex Sound and
Video Archive• Research task – in the Searchroom,
using primary and secondary sources
What we delivered
• Behind-the-scenes tour• Case studies• Introduction to original documents• Introduction to Essex Sound and
Video Archive• Research task – in the Searchroom,
using primary and secondary sources• Discussion
Who took part?
• University of Essex made the visits a compulsory part of first year study, with students writing a reflective report on their visit
• 77 first year History undergraduates took part
Evaluation
• Students’ opinions were asked at the beginning and the end of each day
Would you use the ERO for your research?
Students’ perceptionsBeginning of the day:
Dusty, old, strict, complex, lonely, difficult to understand, difficult to access, outdated, didn’t know what the ERO was, used by ‘important historians’
End of the day:More interesting, easier to use and more useful than expected; more variety than expected; can be used for more than strictly local history
What did the students enjoy?
• Research task• Seeing ERO ‘Treasures’• Tour• Case studies• Conservation• Learning about the range of sources
available
What did the students think?
[I] enjoyed realising how many sources [are] available for use and what knowledge they can provide
The activity was good as it gave an experience of what you would do for your dissertation etc.
[I enjoyed] viewing primary sources rather than having secondary sources
Archives and old records are much more accessible than I thought
What did the tutors think?Almost all the students gave positive comments in their reflective reports. Many of them said that they were inspired by the presentations on sources and would use the ERO in future research projects. Several of them also expressed interest in developing knowledge and experience of conservation and archive work.
Dr. Amanda Flather, First Year Director, Department of History, University of Essex
Challenges
• Mobile phones• Engaging students in discussion• Group dynamics• Space/potential disruption
What next?
• We will repeat the visits in 2014• We will work with second year
students to help them choose dissertation topics
• Building long-term relationship with the University of Essex
Contact
Sarah [email protected]
www.essex.gov.uk/EROwww.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk
@essex archivewww.facebook.com/EssexRecordOffice