Local Studies Group NW have been hosting a series of discussions about various topics which affect Local Studies. These are a few points from our first discussion which focused on the role of Local Studies Librarian.
As Local Studies Librarians, we take care of the Local Studies collections. We identify gaps and acquire, or even create, sources to fill them. We preserve ephemera and grey literature. We champion the user’s right to access to our collections. The majority of the collections are secondary sources. Secondary sources are important, anybody studying local history needs to know what others have already written before they start using the primary sources held in record offices.
Local Studies is the “secret weapon of the library service”. Collections and projects can engage new audiences, both in visitor figures and remotely. They can help to challenge perceptions and engage new audiences. Ways of access to records are becoming more inventive e.g. using social media, outreach, remote volunteering, partnerships etc.
New technologies make this an exciting time for local studies. Using digitisation, the internet and social media local studies collections can be made available to users who perhaps would not visit a library. There are also opportunities with established family history websites to display our collections through their web pages. As budgets are tightened this can be an opportunity for income. Financial restrictions are also making the way we develop local studies collections become more imaginative. Manx Heritage have struck a deal with a publishing company to receive PDF copies of local newspapers.
Local Studies Librarians have to develop strong links and relationships with users including community groups, local and family history societies, schools and online users. These relationships not only benefit local studies but also the shareholders of an organisation. For example, local authority users may promote the service through word of mouth, local and national press, talking to councillors etc.
This article first appeared in the LSGNW newsletter. The full newsletter can be accessed here.
CILIP Local Studies Group 