Survey on diversity in local studies

I am Darren Edwards, an MA Library and Information Services Management student at the University of Sheffield.

For my dissertation research I am studying the representation of diverse communities in local studies collections, focused on the representation of LGBTQ+ and ethnic minority communities. I am looking to recruit participants who work in English local studies libraries to complete an online questionnaire. The questionnaire asks you to reflect upon your local studies collection and the representation of diverse communities within it. The questionnaire is anonymous and asks for no personal data.

This study will help to improve understanding of how well diverse communities are represented in local studies collections and by encouraging reflection on collections will lead to an improvement in this representation. Your participation will benefit my dissertation research and the completion of my degree.

If you are interested in participating in the questionnaire, please click the following link: https://forms.gle/nwKTrpSqfVaMGqN86

For further information or questions, please contact me on dledwards1@sheffield.ac.uk. The project has received ethical approval from the Information School at the University of Sheffield and is being supervised by Dr. Sara Vannini.

Event: Archives and Learning for All – Engaging Diverse Communities

A date for your diaries in 2019. The ARA are holding a free event on the 29 January  on how to engage diverse communities with archives.  This is a topic of interest to many involved in local studies collections, and would also be an good CPD opportunity.

Speakers and topics include: 

Penny Allen (The Courtyard Hereford) & Elizabeth Semper O’Keefe (Herefordshire Archives and Records Centre)

Who lived in a house like this: creatively engaging care home residents’

Julie Melrose (Islington Local History Centre)

‘Lost Trades of Islington: a collaborative and cross-general project’

Paul Dudman,  University of East London

‘Archives, Activism and Action: Participatory Cultural Heritage and Hidden Voices – the Role of Civic Engagement in Enhancing Archives?’

See the full program and book details  here.