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Perspectives on Community-Centered Archives Practice: Sustaining Reciprocity through Education and Compensation

Conference:

ARCHIVES*RECORDS 2025

Session Type:

Pop-Up Session 

Session Chair:

Krystal Tribbett  
University of California, Irvine

Co-Presenter(s):

Sarah Rafael Garcia  
LibroMobile Arts Collective - Founder
Starr Ngo  
University of California, Irvine - C-CAP TEACH Student Scholar
Ariana Vargas  
University of California, Irvine - CCAP TEACH Scholar
Sam Phung  
University of California, Irvine - C-CAP TEACH Student Scholar

Abstract:

Community-centered archives practice exists between mainstream archival institutions and communities that are underrepresented in the historical record. How can academic archives build and sustain equitable community partnerships? This session centers firsthand reflections and experiences of community-based organization leaders and student fellows involved in work to support communities in the process of telling and preserving their own histories. Topics for reflections will include: compensation for community-based organizations; student cohort and curriculum development; archival project design led by community-based organizations; ethics and sustainability; and nurturing relationships of reciprocity and equity between academia and community. These community-centered, post-custodial collaborations help make the way we engage with others count and help transform the field, speaking directly to the themes of the 2025 Annual Meeting. This session will be of interest to those interested in community partnerships and those working closing with student so such projects.

Short Description:

UC Irvine Libraries' CCAP-TEACH (Community-Centered Archives Practice: Transforming Education, Archives, and Community History) is cultivating commitment among higher education institutions to community-centered archives approaches, simultaneously solidifying the ability and responsibility of academic libraries to engage critically and contribute to social justice-focused scholarship, training, pedagogy, and partnerships in their communities. This initiative includes many facets that speak to the core values of SAA, particularly ensuring the diversity of the profession and the historical record itself. We believe and trust in the expertise of community leadership.

Pop-Up Format:

Panel Discussion