|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Progress Report 19March - 2 May
2002
Contents:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Project Personnel: Julie Evans (Project Manager); RSB (Roiyah Saltus-Blackwood - Project Researcher); MR (Mairi Robertson - Project Archivist); CD (Carol Dixon - Project Officer) 1. General Summary of Activity
2. ModulesArchivesThe Project Researcher has provided an overview of the CASBAH archive module, in relation to the final research outcomes, this can be viewed at the end of this report by clicking the link to the document Project Researcher's Final Report ( 2 January - 2 May 2002). The report covers the period Jan-2 May 2002, detailing research outcomes and achievements in relation to CASBAH's original aims and objectives. The document summarises so far the rationale that has underpinned all research work conducted during the archives surveys, as well as 'best practice' research methodologies devised through the completion of the seven regional case study surveys - Labour History Archive, Greater Manchester County Record Office, Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, Glamorgan Record Office, Butetown History and Arts Centre, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and Glasgow City Archive - and the targeted surveys of repositories such as the Ipswich Record Office, McKenzie Heritage Picture Archive (London), Gloucestershire Record Office and the Birmingham City Archives. With regard to the ICS survey, out of 230 records stored on the Institute of Commonwealth Studies CALM 2000 archive database the following 50 collections (listed by title only) have now been uploaded to the CASBAH database. Mairi Robertson is working on the final edit of this documentation - and its accompanying survey report - which will be viewable on the project web site when the database is launched on 29th May: ABDURAHMAN, Abdullah (1872-1940); African National Congress Papers Barbados Workers' Union; BASNER, Hyman M (1905-1976); BBC African Telex Collection; BENSON, Mary (1919-2000); BIKO, Stephen Bantu (1946-1977); Buganda Constitution, 1954; Capricorn Africa Society; Castle Wemyss Estate papers, Jamaica; CAYGILL, Marjorie L (fl 1970-1998); CHIGWENDERE, Ignatius (b 1939); Colonial Office Petitions, 1933-1950; Committee on Training in Public Administration for Overseas Countries; Commonwealth Library Centre, 1950; Commonwealth Press Union; Commonwealth Secretariat: Senior Officials Meeting; Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation; CROWDER, Michael (1934-1988); FIRST, (Heloise) Ruth (1925-1982); FRIEDMANN, Marion Valerie (1918- c1975); Granada Television: World in Action transcripts: Guyana Election, 1968; GRANT, Willard G (fl 1968); HALL, Richard Seymour (fl 1964-1975); HART, Richard (b 1917); HAYMAN, Ruth (d 1981); HIRSON, Baruch (1921-1999); International Transport Workers' Federation: Reports on Africa, 1952-1975; ISBELL, Henry B (1858-1930); JAMES, Cyril Lionel Robert (CLR) (1901-1989); JEBB, Richard (1874-1953); JENNINGS, Sir (William) Ivor (1903-1965); Kenya: Legislative Council Election 1957; Mandela Trials Papers; McADAM, Anthony L P (fl 1964-1979); MORRIS-JONES, Wyndraeth Humphreys (b 1918); Moyne papers on West India Royal Commission; MUTASA, Didymus Noel Edwin (b 1935); MYTTON, Graham (fl 1966-2001); ROUX, Edward Rudolph (1903-1966); Royal Institute of International Affairs: Commonwealth Conference, Nigeria, 1962; St Kitts-Nevis Independence (1982-1983); SANDBACH TINNE & COMPANY; TALLENTS, Sir Stephen George (1884-1958); Taylor family of Jamaica (1770-1835); TINKER, Hugh Russell (1921-2000); TUROK, Benjamin (b 1927); West India Committee: Acquired Papers, 1750-1988; West India Committee: Official Archives, 1899-1998. Printed copies of the project's archive survey reports will be available at the launch event for the CASBAH database on 29th May. Printed Sources and A-V MaterialsA total of 65 collection descriptions for printed and audiovisual materials housed in UK libraries have been uploaded to the CASBAH database by Carol Dixon - most recently summaries received from Bradford College, the Institute of Latin American Studies Library and Royal Holloway Library (University of London). The last remaining description is that of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies Library. Mairi Robertson is in the process of completing this summary, which is due for upload by the end of May. *Full details about the analysis of printed and audiovisual collections listed in the CASBAH database are available in Carol Dixon's final report on the 'Project Data' web page at http://www.casbah.ac.uk/projectdata.stm. Printed copies of this document will also be available at the launch event for the CASBAH database on 29th May. [*An earlier draft of this report has been retrieved from old files and is available from the Reports section of the site.] Collaborative Collection ManagementPlease see the conclusions of the Project Officer's final report on the survey of printed sources and audiovisual materials at http://www.casbah.ac.uk/projectdata.stm. [A draft of the report has been retrieved from project files and is available from the Reports section of the site.] Awareness Raising, Outreach and Training InitiativesInformation about the history and activities of the Yaa Asantewaa Arts and Community Centre were posted to the web site as the April-May 'Spotlight report'. Please see the web page http://www.casbah.ac.uk/newsreport6.stm for the full text. Members of the CASBAH team disseminated information about the work of the project at the following events:
The Project Officer compiled information for the following individuals and organisations in response to research requests:
A summary report about the work of the CASBAH project was written by the Project Officer and circulated to the Diversity Council for publication in the forthcoming July 2002 issue of the newsletter, Diversity (ISSN: 1475-9462). A press release/announcement about the forthcoming launch of the database was circulated by Carol Dixon to the Voice, the Ethnic Media Group, Black Britain Online (c/o The Colourful Network) and BBC History Online for publication on events lists/calendars.
IT: Project Web Site, Database and Subject GatewayThe most recent update to the database search interface, designed by Rik Munday, can be viewed online at [Private site - link not available]. The following web sites have been added to the CASBAH links page at http://www.casbah.ac.uk/links.stm:
The full text of the Project Officer's final report entitled 'Indexing collection descriptions for the CASBAH database' is available online at http://www.casbah.ac.uk/projectdata.stm. A list of 35 'added terms' suggested for future inclusion in the UK Archival Thesaurus (being developed by archivists linked to the Public Record Office and University of London Computer Centre) were submitted on 12 March 2002. Recent usage
statistics
for the CASBAH web site are given below:
Listserv: There are now 99 members of the CASBAH-RSLP listserv. 23 messages were posted to the list in March, and 11 in April 2002. 3. Action Points / Priorities for May 2002
Additional action points, specific to the work of the Project Researcher, are listed in more detail in Roiyah's report (below). Carol Dixon: 1 May 2002 Project Researcher's Report ( 2 January
-
2 May 2002)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Site name
|
List of Collections
|
| Bedfordshire and Luton Archives Service |
|
| Gloucestershire Record Office |
|
| McKenzie Heritage Picture Archive |
|
| Suffolk Record Office |
|
| Birmingham City Archives |
|
| Theatre Museum |
|
Awareness Raising and Outreach Module
This area of activity is grounded in outreach and educational activities targeted at the research, library and archive communities, the stated deliverables being to:- Raise
awareness
of the importance of the project and it's rationale.
- Disseminate
project
outcomes and techniques to the library and archive
community
with the aim of encouraging a continuation of the survey
work
in a national context.
- Train researchers on suitable research methodology: how to identify sources and start research in Caribbean studies and the history of Black and Asian people in Britain.
- Create innovative ways of disseminating project results and draw on the experience of partners who are already involved in these types of educational and outreach activities.
Since January 2002, my aim has been to contribute in extending our outreach activities to local organisations and community groups and to further develop our links with the archive sector. Time has also been spent strengthening links with CASBAH partners.
Please click on the list below to access a summary of my activities.
- The Black Music Education Trust
- The Caribbean Collection
- The London Metropolitan Archives
- The Public Record Office
- Office Enquires and other projects
The Black Music Education Trust (BMET)
BMET is a non-profit making organisation set up in July 2000 to act as a focal point for the study of the contribution made by Black music and musicians to popular music culture in the UK. BMET also seeks to promote the continuing contribution made by Black British artists, songwriters, producers and music industry professionals as well as encouraging aspiring members of the community to participate in the music and entertainment business.
CASBAH is a BMET partner and in March 2002, I met up with the BMET Director, Mykaell Riley to discuss BMET's progress and exchange relevant information. Mykaell Riley provided additional information regarding BMET including some key aims:
- To Research the 'untold story' of the Black British contribution to popular music culture in the UK since 1945
- To Encourage participation in the music and entertainment businesses by aspiring young Black British people
- To Develop commercial education courses and resources for Black British music and entertainment professionals
- To Celebrate the contribution made to British popular culture by Black British musicians and entertainers since 1945
Over the coming months a number of projects will be established as a means to fulfilling these key aims. For further details please contact Mykaell Riley: msrmusic@globalnet.co.uk
The Caribbean Collection is a two-year project that aims to survey archival collections of the Jamaican and Trinidadian communities in Brooklyn, New York. This historic initiative is being coordinated through the Archives and Special Collections division of Brooklyn College-CUNY. The project's ultimate goal is to create an online inventory that reflects the development and activities of the Caribbean American experience.
While in New York in February 2002, I met with Chantel Bell (CB), Project Coordinator and Archivist and the Project Researcher to exchange information regarding the two projects. Issues discussed included the different points of departure of the two projects. The Caribbean Collection project actively seeks to gather data from local organisations as a means of preserving the archival collections as well as promoting the collections as key research resources. The CASBAH project began its life in academic archives and established record offices and repositories, the aim being to collate data from these sites in order to provide a database of relevant research resources. It has only been since January 2002 that a concerted effort has been made to gather data from local organisations. Having fulfilled the particular remit of the project, what the visit made clear was the need for projects based on gathering data from community and other non-statutory bodies.
For further information on the progress of the Caribbean Collection project, please visit their website: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/library/records_survey/
The London Metropolitan Archives (LMA)
The London Metropolitan Archives is a CASBAH partner.The Black and Asian Londoners Project is also based at the LMA. In January 2002, I got in contact with Jan Pimbett who is currently developing an outreach programme of events and activities at the LMA. Past events included a Black History Month Exhibition and one day workshops on aspects of Black History in the UK. Again, the aim was to establish and exchange information between CASBAH and LMA and to find ways to promote relevant outreach initiatives and identify contacts that readers and users of the CASBAH could utilised after the project ended. Please visit the LMA webite of contact the LMA for further information about relevant outreach activities planned for the future:
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/leisure_heritage/libraries_archives_museums_galleries/lma/index.htm
The PRO is a CASBAH partner. Mairi Robertson, the Project Archivist has conducted the PRO survey (via PROCAT). My aim over the last few months has been to forge contacts within the PRO in order to disseminate information about the CASBAH project and develop long-term interest in our subject areas. The following summarises my activities to date:
- A2A
Project
Proposal - extension of CASBAH project
Back in September 2001 a meeting was set up by Ian Johnson (BASA) and Meg Sweet (PRO) to meet with people interested in developing a project proposal connected in some way to the work of the CASBAH project.
- The
PRO
User Advisory Group
Back in November 2001,invitations were sent out to join the PRO User Advisory Group. Although the CASBAH database had not been launched and we could not boast a user community, I was able to become a member through my membership with the Black and Asian Studies Association. CD will deputise for the Project Archivist, Mairi Robertson and present findings on behalf of CASBAH, of the CASBAH pilot survey conducted by Mairi Robertson, to this group at the next meeting to be held 1 May 2002.
For information, the PRO User's Group was set up to address the needs of comparatively under represented user groups in the national archives and,more specifically, to take forward the PRO's focus on user requirements. As regards the latter, the needs of both existing and potential users were to be considered. PROCAT (the Public Record Office's catalogue) is intended to reflect all the communities represented in the records. The PRO already has established channels of communication with groups such as family historians.These channels now need to be widened to embrace all users, as a means of widening the user base.
Meetings are held quarterly. For further information, please email user-advisory@pro.gov.uk or visit the PRO website: http://www.pro.gov.uk/catalogues/procat.htm
- Archival
Mapping Projects
The Archival Mapping Project methodology has been applied to a number of projects in recent years. It is a methodology which enables the collection of reliable, comparable data about the facilities and services in archive repositories which has helped to determine priority areas for funding bids and to begin to formulate UK-wide strategies and initiatives. In January 2002, enquires were made to determine if and how the methodology could be applied to a project (such as the CASBAH project) which provides a graphic demonstration of the challenges facing archives (and related sectors) in housing collections and catering to the needs and interests of the diverse ethnic groups of British society. In making the enquiry and in the subsequent meeting with the Stephen Jones at the PRO, I asked whether there was an opportunity to (1)provide a UK picture, a frame of reference for the archive sector regarding CASBAH subject areas which if presently absent and (2) the methodology could be developed to address the peopling of British society as well as the resources and challenges facing the archive sector in providing resources which reflect multicultural Britain. Stephen Jones charted the development of the Archival Mapping Project and discussed possible linkages.
For further details about the Archival Mapping Projects, visit the PRO website:http://www.pro.gov.uk/archives/map/default.htm
- Moving
Here
Project
The vision of Moving Here is to celebrate and explore why people moved to England and record what their experiences are and continue to be. Moving Here will focus on the experiences of people from the Caribbean, South Asian, Irish and Jewish (from Eastern Europe) communities, from the 1840s to the present day. In April 2002, I meet with MH's Community Coordinator,Karen Rowe. The aim was to set up an exchange of information between the two projects. In post since January 2002, key areas of here work include:
- The
development
of a community advisory contact group. Moving Here
is
a NOF funded project
aim specifically non curriculum based - the target audience is 'life long learners' and the aim is to tap into the wide spectrum of groups.
- Establishing
User contributions to the site - The very bare bones
of
the MH website is now live, with information about
the
project available for the public, and an e-mail
mechanism
through which people can contribute a story, either
in
response to a photo, file, object which is in the MH
catalogue,
or along with a photograph/image of their own. It is
hoped
that the stories will add a further dimension to the
content
and also narrative on the site by adding a very real
personal
view/account.
- Community
Gallery - work to provide a space for community
groups/individuals
to contribute local history projects, oral history,
exhibitions
etc.
- Exhibitions
/Events in Museums - KR is currently working with
the
PRO Outreach Officer on a couple of outreach
projects aimed at different groups in British society. The aim is to make contact with local organisations and work with them on set projects.
The Moving Here Project has gathered together an important group of records from around England and will help in the long process of making records directly related to specific groups comprising the British population. For further information, visit their website at :http://www.movinghere.org.uk/
- The
development
of a community advisory contact group. Moving Here
is
a NOF funded project
Since January 2002, the level of enquires made to the CASBAH office rose significantly. The enquiries include:
- Requests for information about the Caribbean for television documentaries
- · Requests for names of academics whose expertise cover our subject area
- Database searches for images depicting the lives of Black British people (pre and post slave emancipation)
- Requests to meet and consult on the development of projects as well as project proposals
Other projects
A number of organisations have been in contact to discuss the progress of their projects. One such project I have been in contact with is Connections, the Black History Month Project, Bexley Council Local Studies and Archive Centre
The aims of the project:
- To record and explore the histories of Bexley's ethnic minority communities
- To promote the role of the museum service and borough archives and local history service to ethnic minority communities
- To create a photographic, documentary and textual archive reflective of the borough's diverse population
- To create a premise for ethnic minority communities to come forward and offer objects to the museum, thus contributing to the social history collection and shaping the future presentation and understanding of Bexley's History
- To build bridges and links between communities and promote social inclusion
For further information, please contact Stuart Bligh at the Bexley Council Local Studies and Archive Centre: http://www.bexley.gov.uk/service/lib-central.html
Action Points (RSB)
- Complete Conducting Archival Collection Surveys - Guidance Notes
- Complete the
short
survey summaries or establish links to the following
sites:
- Birmingham
City Archives
- Suffolk
Record
Office - Ipswich Branch
- Gloucestershire
Record Office
- Theatre Museum
- Birmingham
City Archives
- Convert (a) 'Conducting Archival Collection Surveys - Guidance Notes' ;(b) the Partners and Associate Survey Reports (excluding ICS and PRO); (c) and the survey summaries for the targeted collection surveys into Word documents according to CASBAH's formatting guidelines
- Upload data
and
complete collection descriptions from the following
sites:
- The McKenzie Heritage Picture Archive
- Yaa Asantewaa
- Where possible, help CD to complete remaining database entries - this will include troubling shooting descriptions that do not have the required fields completed, checking on how the descriptions look and subject indexing
- Record the details of the remaining incomplete data
- 'Tweak' the web pages and, if possible, configure the remaining dead hyperlinks
- Write article for Metlines
Dr Roiyah Saltus-Blackwood (2 May 2002)
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||||