This project, which was started in the class titled LAH350 Archival Advocacy during 2020-21, partnered with community members from a local Austin elementary school to build an online digital archive of their school's history. This school closed in May 2021 due to Austin Independent School District's consolidation policies, but the archive solicited new contributions of items to digitize and catalog until the end of 2021. Since then, this project has worked to maintain the online archive, to add new items to it that were missed in the original process or that developed through subsequent research (including video materials), to refine stored images, metadata, and exhibits already on the site, to develop and execute a longevity plan that may include transferring collections to the Austin History Center or Texas ScholarWorks, and to publicize the archive on social media.
Seeking students interested in Local Histories, Oral history, Community Archiving, Social Justice practices, and learning how to use Omeka and other online content management systems, YouTube channels, and Instagram. No prior experience with archives or online archives is required, but would be a benefit. Spanish language proficiency preferred, but not required.
Work is ongoing.
Student research assistants will learn how to use the easy-to-use Omeka platform, meet with Dr. Lang regularly, and do some background reading on the project and on community archiving projects and ethics.
Please set up a meeting to discuss how you might participate on your schedule!
