The document discusses the York: Gateway to History project which aimed to create a 21st century archive and local history service for York that engages all communities. The project worked with 44 community groups through meetings to understand their archive needs and interests. It was found that there was overwhelming support for the project but less demand for training and more interest in collaborative projects. Key lessons learned included listening to new ideas, being responsive, transparent, flexible, and using community spaces. The success of the project has driven ongoing community engagement and its approach is now being studied by a PhD student.

1. Thinking outside the Strongroom:
Exploring new directions in community
engagement
Sarah Tester
Community Collections & Outreach Archivist
Sarah.Tester@exploreyork.org.uk
/ExploreLibrariesandArchives@YorkArchivesUK #gatewaytohistory
http://citymakinghistory.wordpress.com

2. Introduction to
York: Gateway to History
“York: Gateway to History is an exciting project to create a 21st
century Archive and Local History Service for York – a service
which serves and reflects all communities and cultures, past
and present, in this ancient city”
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

3. Introduction to
York: Gateway to History
Building a network of ‘community champions’
Supporting community groups in identifying,
managing and using their archive collections
Exploring new and long lasting ways of working
with community groups beyond the funded project
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

4. How we engaged with York’s
Communities
Communities were asked as part of informal group and 1:1
meetings:
What support do you need for your archives?
Do you want to keep or deposit your archive?
How do you want to work with us?
111 individuals from 44 different community groups fed into
this process
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

5. What we discovered
Overwhelming support for the York: Gateway to History project
and Explore resulting in all 44 groups becoming Archive
champions
Less demand for archive training than anticipated
Unexpected demand for innovative projects in collaboration
with Explore
Our approach is successful!
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

6. Lessons learned:
Listen to new ideas
Lord Deramore’s Primary School Research Project
Engaging schools in archives and local history through
historical research for classroom activities
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

7. Lessons learned:
Be responsive
Normandy Veterans Association York Branch
Generating new archives through collaboration and memory
gathering
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

8. Lessons learned:
Be transparent and clear
York’s Alternative History Group
Sharing a local perspective on First World War history
through a touring WW1 banner exhibition
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

9. Lessons learned:
Compromise and be flexible
Wiggington Parish
Council
Transforming a cupboard
into a community archive
through professional
guidance and support
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

10. Lessons learned:
Use your community spaces
Poppleton History Society
Discovering new ways of using branch libraries to promote
local history
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

11. Lessons learned:
Summary
Listen to new ideas
Be Responsive
Be transparent and clear
Compromise and be flexible
Use your community spaces
Be the link between your organisation and community –
never underestimate the value of a friendly face!
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

12. Challenging community engagement
in the archive sector
Our approach is the subject of PhD study at the University of
York
York: Gateway to History has a legacy, driving community
engagement for Explore and beyond
Are we over-reliant on the case studies presented to us from our
own sector?
Should the archivist seek to behave more flexibly in the
community?
@YorkArchivesUK
#gatewaytohistory

13. Thank You
Questions/comments?
Sarah Tester
Community Collections & Outreach Archivist
Sarah.Tester@exploreyork.org.uk
/ExploreLibrariesandArchives@YorkArchivesUK #gatewaytohistory
http://citymakinghistory.wordpress.com