Janet Rhodes

In 2023 I was selected to particpate in ILEAD Ohio, a professional development and leadership program grounded in project-based learning. Through the program, I joined a team of five archivists from across the state of Ohio to form a project focused on community archiving. Thanks to the State Library Of Ohio and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, we were able to produce a short film to share the insights we gained through our research. I hope you find this resource valuable as you plan your own community archiving projects!

“Learning to Listen” demonstrates the necessity of inviting communities to share their cultural practices, community needs, and unique concerns as a first step in the process of community archiving. While community archiving is often framed as a preservation practice, it is more importantly a healing practice that can empower communities to tell their stories and histories based on their own lived experiences. For archivists, leading with listening is essential to avoid unintended harm and to build trusting and lasting relationships with communities.