An Inclusive Archives: Reparative Work in the Iowa State Special Collections and University Archives
- Greg Bailey (Iowa State University)
- Rebecca Wells (Iowa State University)
- Michael Belding (Iowa State University)
Abstract
Archives are repositories of institutional and human history and supposed trusted entities that preserve documentary and audiovisual evidence of communities’ actions, experiences, and stories. However, this is not the case for everyone. Archives have historically overlooked, ignored, and even avoided collecting materials created by or about marginalized and underrepresented communities. Iowa State University’s archives are no exception, but the library’s Department of Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) is trying to correct this historic imbalance and disservice. In this session SCUA staff will share some of the reparative work they are doing to confront past practices and explain why such initiatives are an important part of capturing the university's history. Topics will include prioritizing the collection of materials and stories of marginalized and underrepresented populations, participatory and post-custodial archival approaches, and oral history interviews.
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