1 week Ago By [email protected] (Priyanka Patel)
A researcher from Coventry University is bringing together archivists, experts, and community groups to create a network to preserve the historical archives of local newspapers. Dr Rachel Matthews will be working with archive specialist Gary Collins to develop a new approach to making valuable archives more accessible. As local newspapers move towards digital formats, historic materials such as photographs and article cuttings are in danger of being lost.
Dr Rachel has 15 years of working in the local newspaper industry, working in the Research Centre for Arts, Memory and Communities at the university. She said: "Local newspaper archives are often the only repository for the stories that tell the history of a place. This project is a vital step in safeguarding that history.
In addition, they are key artefacts relating to journalism history and tell the story of the local newspaper itself. Read more: River Sherbourne restructured to improve 'flow and diversity' to Coventry park "By collaborating with local groups, we can ensure that the heritage captured in our local newspapers is protected for future generations to explore and appreciate." The project will develop guidelines for salvaging newspaper records by working with stakeholders to map existing newspaper collections in the Midlands, understand how to preserve them, and identify areas where additional support is needed to ensure their long-term sustainability.
A key aspect of the project is the development of a comprehensive toolkit to guide others in preserving archives effectively. Four workshops will bring together specialists in cataloguing, intellectual property rights and digital preservation, which will collectively shape the toolkit’s content. The National Archives ' Head of Research, Grants, and Academic Engagement, Jack Butterworth, said: "The Resilience Grants programme is designed to help archive services create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the heritage sector.
We are therefore very proud to support Coventry University in their efforts to develop a new network and toolkit for organisations looking to preserve local newspaper archives, particularly at a time when records of this nature are so vulnerable." The toolkit will be published online and made available to the public, community groups, and activists. A formal launch event will celebrate the project’s outcomes and establish a long-term network dedicated to preserving local newspaper heritage.
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