Program Overview

INF518 Community Histories

This subject provides an introduction to the development and promotion of local history and archive collections. It will examine the role of local histories for a community; the place of libraries in building collections of such histories; and the nature of such collections, focusing on local newspapers, oral history, photographs, other paper-based materials, memorabilia and digital media such as digital photographs, websites and blogs.

Subject Outlines

Current students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

The subject is available in Session 1, with 30 spots available. It is offered online and at the Wagga Wagga Campus.

Subject Information

• Grading System: HD/FL
• Duration: One session
• School: School of Information Studies
• Enrolment Restrictions: Not available to students who have completed INF318
• Subject Relationships: INF318 is a double-coded subject
• Incompatible Subjects: INF318

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to discuss the nature of local history collections and the contribution they can make to understanding a community and its evolution
• be able to create the policies and practices involved in developing, managing, preserving and providing access to such collections
• be able to manage digital objects in the context of their growing importance as a part of the community record
• be able to articulate the need for organisations to develop their own archiving approaches in order to ensure the long term retention and preservation of records relevant to the history of that organisation
• be aware of the various funding and development opportunities that may exist and how they may help in developing collections

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• The local history context
• Traditional history collections
• The digital impact on local history collections
• Promotion of and support for local history collections