Presentation by Helen Fallon of Maynooth University Library on the 'Promotion of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Archive' at #asl2015 'The inside out library, collaboration, inspiration, transformation' February 26 2015

1. Promoting a
Unique
Collection:
the MU
Ken Saro-Wiwa
Archive
Helen Fallon
Deputy Librarian, Maynooth University
Helen.b.fallon@nuim.ie

3. Leading
Nigerian Writer
Businessman
Activist

8. Collaboration with Communications Office &
External Media Company
• Getting on the radar
– Unique collection
– Major international figure
– Alignment with MU’s commitment to social justice
• Total Library Commitment
– Preparation of information for speeches, press releases etc
– Available outside of normal hours for radio interviews
– Ability to supply information and photographs quickly
– Ability to communicate effectively with external media company
– Ability to market the Library and its collections
– Ability to respond immediately
– Ability to organise a major event with short notice
– Ability to organise filming of event for iWitness
• Collaborative effort between Library, Sister Majella, University and others
•

9. Inspiration for Book
• Massive national and international media coverage of handover of letters
• Idea of bringing letters to a wider audience including Saro-Wiwa’s home state
• Collaborations
– with Sister Majella
– Saro-Wiwa family – their wishes and copyright of letters and poems
– between three editors
– with publisher
– annotating letters to give context and meaning
– University, University’s legal advisers, Legal issues

10. Collaborative Publishing
• Book Proposal (1 member of team)
• Daraja/CODESRIA headquarters in Senegal
• Not-for-profit
• Distribution Rights in Africa
• Trócaire Grant – distribution to NGOs and in Nigeria
• Nnimo Bassey – Oilwatch International
• Sister Majella and Saro-Wiwa family

11. Contents
• Annotated letters
• Poems
• Contextual essays
– Library context, natural resources,
literature
• Images
• Foreword
• Archival classification
• Bibliography & resources list

12. Collaboration to produce the Audio Archive
Kairos Communications &
MU Library
Series of recorded
interviews of people
connected with
Ken Saro-Wiwa

13. Book and Audio Archive Launch

14. Book Launch Abuja, Nigeria

15. Collaboration on publicising and
marketing
• Media invited to event
• Radio – RTE Five Seven Live,
Global Village on Newstalk,
University of Ibadan Radio
• Local, national & international
newspapers
• Three editors – different
disciplines and different contacts
–digital/social media

16. Other Collaborations
• Bursary – collaboration with MU
Research Office
• Archival Literacy - Ken Saro-Wiwa
Audio Archive integrated into a
Development Studies module on
MU BA in Community Studies
• Development Education Week
• Exhibitions & Events
• Digitisation

17. Reflection
• Ken Saro-Wiwa’s collaboration with Sister Majella was the inspiration for
the Letters
• MU transformed the letters into a book, the audio-archive, digital and print
exhibitions, course module, a resource for students and activists nationally
and internationally
• MU Library collaborated with many people and institutions to ensure Ken
Saro-Wiwa’s voice would be heard

19. Resources
• Images from the archive
https://www.flickr.com/photos/22668824@N07/sets/72157636927385056/
• Audio Archive
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library/collections/ken-saro-wiwa-audio-archive
• Book – available from Helen Fallon & booksellers
helen.b.fallon@nuim.ie