This document defines participatory archives as organizations, sites, or collections where people other than archives professionals contribute knowledge or resources to increase understanding of archival materials, usually in an online environment. It discusses why clear definitions are needed for participatory archives and participation, distinguishing the latter from simple engagement. Participatory archives harness people's cognitive surplus to distribute curation and allow remote, occasional contributions to broaden archival understanding. They can be place-independent, combining in-person and online participation.

1. Exploring the Participatory Archives: Why, What, Who, Where, and Why Kate Theimer Society of American Archivists August 25, 2011

2. Why are we talking about participatory archives?

3. Because participatory is sexy now

4. Because we’re increasingly surrounded by themeven if we don’t call them that

5. So, what does it mean?

6. Definition of “participatory culture” Blah, blah, blah . . . Create, not consume

7. Definition of participatory museum “I define a participatory cultural institution as a place where visitors can create, share, and connect with each other around content.” Nina Simon, The Participatory Museum, ii

8. One definition of participatory archives “an archive implementing decentralised curation, radical user orientation and contextualisation of both records and the entire archival process.” IstoHuvila, Archival Science, 2008

9. Proposed: a new definition Participatory archives An organization, site or collection in which people other than the archives professionals contribute knowledge or resources resulting in increased understanding about archival materials, usually in an online environment .

10. What and why are people contributing? “knowledge or resources” “resulting in increased understanding about archival materials” NOT opinions, feelings or artistic creations NOT to have fun, derive personal satisfaction or increase awareness of archives Participation is different from engagement

11. Engagement is important

13. Winning something

14. Conversation

15. Sharing and rating

16. Humor

18. Why that last phrase? . . . usually in an online environment http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcwetboy/358566108/

21. Who is creating participatory archives? Who is participating? Contributing knowledge

22. Who is creating participatory archives? Who is participating? Contributing knowledge

23. Who is creating participatory archives? Who is participating? Contributing resources

24. Who is creating participatory archives? Who is participating? Contributing resources

25. Who is creating participatory archives? Who is participating? Contributing resources

26. Who is creating participatory archives? Who is participating? Contributing resources

29. For Following up kate.theimer@gmail.com www.archivenext.com