Documenting ordinary stories: Local studies collections in public libraries

Abstract

This paper describes research to consider how practices for local studies collections in Australian public libraries might need to shift to ensure that as well as including the historical past, that recent and current concerns and interests of the community are appropriately collected and reflected in their collections. This research used ethnography as a method to explore one public library in detail. Drawing on the metaphor of mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors, the research results describe how a social justice framework for local studies collecting in public libraries could ensure greater inclusion and equity. Such approaches can amplify voices that may have been silenced and enable people and themes with little visibility to be much more visible within local studies collections in public libraries. The conclusion is that a social justice approach to local studies collections in public libraries has the potential to provide a more representative record of the community as a wider range of voices and stories are documented, collected, preserved and made available for research and other uses.

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