Shanice Aga is a Khoja-American designer, and visual artist. A trained architect and material culturalist,





Reading
Synopsis

“Why Archives:”Accessibility, Ethics, and the Role of Archivists, 2018

SUMMARIZE
In her 2016 speech "Why Archives," Kathleen D. Roe underscores the crucial role of professional archivists in advocating for the value of archives. She argues that while some progress has been made in outreach and public relations, the profession still struggles with being overlooked and underfunded. This can lead to archives being replaced by other professions like librarians, digital humanitarians, historians, and information officers. Roe emphasizes that to prevent this, archivists need to shift their focus from the technical aspects of the profession—the what and how—to the more compelling why. By inspiring people emotionally, archivists can better communicate the essential work they do and its profound impact on both individuals and society at large.

Roe presents several key reasons for the importance of archives:

  1. Archives provide crucial evidence that protects our rights and holds the government accountable.
  2. Archives support the creation of new knowledge.
  3. Archives ignite interest in education by offering a “laboratory” for students to explore the human experience.
  4. Archives give voice to marginalized and under-documented communities

Ultimately, Roe’s message is an urgent call for archivists to step forward, engage with the public, and advocate for the continued relevance of archives in our society.

In “Participatory and Post-Custodial Archives as Community Practice” (2017), Sophia Becerra-Licha delves into the disruptive force that the proliferation of digital content has had on the archival profession. She presents an opportunity to reimagine archives in terms of professional ethics and public perception, particularly through a post-custodial approach. This shift sees archivists moving away from the traditional role as gatekeepers and toward a more collaborative, empathetic practice. Technology has greatly democratized the archival process, making it more accessible to a wider public. However, Becerra-Licha also warns that while online access to archives has increased, it does not necessarily mean that access is equitable for all. Ethical questions remain about what gets saved, who has access, and who is making those decisions.

Krista McCracken, in “Archives as Activism” (2017), discusses how archives are increasingly tied to activism and social movements. Archiving the work of marginalized communities and social movements, such as Black Lives Matter, is seen as an act of activism itself. McCracken highlights the importance of community-based, participatory archives in creating more inclusive historical records that counter mainstream narratives. However, she points out the barriers many marginalized groups face in accessing archival material, especially when archives are tied to academic institutions or government agencies. These structural limitations make it difficult for those communities to engage with the records that represent them, calling for further work to address these inequalities.

The General News Media Research Team, particularly Courtney Dean and Lori Dedeyan, explore the ethical challenges surrounding the archiving of protest material in the digital age. As protest movements increasingly organize online and use social media to mobilize and communicate, new questions arise regarding best practices for web archiving. Concerns about online surveillance and the targeting of activists by government agencies are central to this discussion. The team calls for archivists to reconsider their roles and practices, advocating for community-driven archiving where individuals have more control over what is included and how it is represented. They also emphasize the potential of technology to rectify historical injustices in archiving practices and to create more transparent, community-centered archives.

Roger Chartier, in “Texts, Forms, and Interpretations” (1997), expands on the concept of text by arguing that it is not limited to written works but also includes nonverbal texts such as images, maps, and landscapes. Chartier highlights how the form of a text—its materiality—shapes its meaning. This perspective challenges the traditional view of texts as fixed, unchanging objects and opens the door to new ways of understanding how texts are produced, transmitted, and received. Chartier also underscores the social and political power of texts, as they can be used by those in authority to control meaning and influence public perception.

In “Archival Survival: Navigating Historical Research,” Lynne Lewis Gaillet addresses the lack of clear research methodologies for new historians and archivists. She provides a straightforward guide to visiting manuscript libraries, preparing for archival research, and developing research questions. Gaillet also emphasizes the importance of understanding the materiality of documents and how they contribute to the construction of meaning in historical research.
 CONNECT
A common thread across all of these readings is the issue of accessibility. Roe highlights the power of archives to represent underrepresented and marginalized communities, while Becerra-Licha reminds us that increased digital access doesn’t always translate to equitable access for everyone. McCracken advocates for participatory archives that allow marginalized voices to be heard, but she also acknowledges the institutional barriers that often prevent these communities from engaging with the material. Similarly, the General News Media Research Team raises concerns about the use of archival material for surveillance and targeting of activist groups, particularly those from marginalized communities. Yet, they are optimistic about the potential of technology to make archives more inclusive and transparent.

This discussion also ties into broader conversations about the New Archives and the importance of making archives more accessible within the context of the New Humanities. As the profession continues to evolve, it is crucial that archivists rethink their roles and practices to ensure that archives remain a tool for empowerment, sharing knowledge, and storytelling rather than control.

EXTEND
Questions for Archivists:
What restrictions are placed on access to Institutional Special Collections? Is access limited to university affiliates, or can community members access the collections? If so, are there ID requirements or other forms of documentation required?

How have institutions digitized documents and objects, and what effect does this have on the meaning and understanding of these materials when they are not physically handled?

Do university collections hold documents or photographs that may be critical of the university, particularly in relation to sensitive issues like racism, slavery, or regional history? How does the university present these materials, and is it transparent about its past?

How do institutions navigate the balance between institutional affiliation and the need for transparency in representing multiple perspectives on difficult topics?