Collaborative opportunities facilitate deeper understanding and more meaningful outcomes for archives and their communities. This presentation explores how archives at Bowling Green State University and Indiana University Northwest have worked with campus contacts, institutional offices, and community members to create impactful events and exhibits.
In 2019, the Bowling Green State University Libraries and Athletics Department formally partnered to preserve, provide access to, and further develop BGSU Athletics historical materials. At the heart of this partnership are the over 1074 linear feet of the Cochrane Cunningham Archives and over 4500 square feet of exhibit space to showcase BGSU Athletics’ history. As part of this collaboration, the BGSU Athletics Department requested that the University Libraries create an extensive BGSU women’s sports exhibit in celebration of Title IX. Presenters from BGSU will share how they collaborated with multiple archival collecting areas, campus offices, and former coaches/faculty to create an exhibit emphasizing the voices of female athletes and coaches, as well as laying the foundation for further BGSU women’s sports history collection development.
Indiana University Northwest Archives and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs have partnered to support multiple programming initiatives using archival collections as a vehicle for establishing connections with the community. This cross-departmental collaboration has led to the creation of exhibits, discussions, and research incorporated into campus programming for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Juneteenth, and Hispanic Heritage Month. Presenters from IUN will discuss the importance of creating meaningful engagement opportunities between a campus and its community by using archival resources to promote education, collaboration, and advocacy related to DEI.
