Presentation at the Studio for Media Activism and Critical Thought at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada on November 12, 2016

1. Defining the Archive On Our Terms
A Look at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center Digital Community Archives
Itza A. Carbajal
University of Texas at Austin
School of Information

2. The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center
Esperanza is mujeres, Latinas, African Americans, Pan-Asian Americans, Native Americans,
Arabs, and Whites. Esperanza is queer and straight. Esperanza is the economically disadvantaged
trabajando junto con la gente de clase obrera, la clase media, and with our economically privileged
allies. Esperanza is feminist, is politically progressive, is outspoken. Esperanza is strong and
overworked because we are people struggling to find new voices, new forms and new solutions to
the problems oppressed people are facing.
We produce and present programs that provoke dialogue, honor traditional cultures, nurture new
aesthetics, renew the soul, break stereotypes, and strengthen communities.
www.esperanzacenter.org

3. Title: 3 Poets and a Lawyer Part 2
Date of Creation: 1998 November 05
Name of Creators: Esperanza Peace and Justice Center
Conditions Governing Access: Restricted
Unique Identifier: 1998-11-05-01
Name of Collection: VHS Programming Video Archives
Description: Platica between writers and poets Gloria Anzaldua, Sharon Bridgforth, Maria Elena Gaitan and attorney Amy
Kastely. Discussion moderated by Yolanda Leyva.
Paper Material - Newsletter
Video Archive Preview
Video

4. Community Archives
What are Community Archives: Community histories or community
archives are the grassroots activities of documenting, recording and
exploring community heritage in which community participation, control
and ownership of the project is essential.
- Andrew Flinn
“Community Histories, Community Archives: Some Opportunities and Challenges

5. Community Archives can
disrupt harmful historical
narratives and provide more
diverse, respectful, inclusive,
empowering narrative(s) for
multiple communities
especially those purposely
excluded from the mainstream.
WHY?

6. Title: An Altar for Emma / Live Performance of Corrido
Date of Creation: 2000 October 28
Name of Creators: Esperanza Peace and Justice Center
Conditions Governing Access: Restricted
Unique Identifier: 2000-10-28-03
Name of Collection: VHS Programming Video Archives
Description: Performance of the theatrical play An Altar for Emma. Various performances held that incorporated skits and
discussions.
Video

7. Starting an archive can
seem daunting perhaps even
impossible due to
the necessary steps.
Obstacles?
● Funding
● Infrastructure
● Specialized labor

8. Team
Treating everyone as a stakeholder.
Buy in means groups will feel committed to
seeing the community archives strive.
Acknowledge everyone’s contributions.
Be aware of immediate users and welcome
new users and their desired uses UNLESS
those uses run counter to your community
values.
READ: appropriation, exploitation,
misrepresentation.
Community
Archives Team
Overall Staff
Board Members
Community +
Immediate Users
Local Information Workers:
Archivists, Librarians, Conservators,
AV technicians, IT developers, etc.
New Users: educators,
organizers, artists, etc

9. Funding
How - Apply for project grants? Start a campaign for purchase of equipment and
storage? Seek a bond program from city funds?
Where - Big USA players include government entities like National Endowment
for the Humanities (NEH) & Museum and Library Services. Private foundations
like the Mellon, the Kresge, Kronkosky, Gates, etc.
Other options include our communities through grassroots fundraising.
Why - New activities require groundwork including financial investment. Funding
sources are crucial to support consistent growth. Projects such as preservation, and
access, conservation require long-term commitment and funding alleviates that
pressure to commit.

10. Infrastructure
Common financial investments
include the purchase of equipment to
digitize, storage containers for both
physical and digital materials,
appropriate storing conditions either
as a room free of pests or water
resistant boxes, as well software to
make the work less difficult and to
prepare materials for the public.
Infrastructure

11. Specialized Skills (NOT
EXPERTS)
Technical team Must work with staff
not directly involved with project.
Technical team should
incorporate trainings for staff.
Budget for ongoing changes.
Trainings by outside entities should be
encouraged. Learning process
ongoing.
Recognize that anyone can learn
it, but we all learn in different
ways. Destigmatize ideas of the
experts & us.
Free webinars everywhere! Sign up for
listservs & reach out to archivists &
librarians associations.

12. Agreements
Right to privacy
Issues of copyright
Intellectual property
Right to self determination

13. - Audre Lorde
The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle
the Master's House.

14. Thoughts? Suggestions?
Contact me at itza.carbajal@gmail.com