Building Sustainable Community Archives: Engagement, Collaboration, and Inclusion with Local Stakeholders

Abstract

This PhD research-in-progress explores the role of community archives in rural Aotearoa New Zealand as collaborative, stakeholder-oriented institutions rooted in local contexts. Using grounded theory within a symbolic interactionism framework, this study investigates how archives identify, engage with, and communicate across diverse stakeholder groups. Based on interviews, focus groups, and case studies, emerging insights suggest that dynamics around leadership, volunteer involvement, collaboration, and community engagement significantly influence archival sustainability. The research highlights ongoing challenges between tradition and inclusion, and between legacy and adaptability. As the study progresses, it aims to offer a deeper understanding of how community archives build relationships and maintain relevance within their changing communities over time.

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