Oral History in the Context of the Development of Community Archiving

Abstract

The article summarizes the Polish experience in using the oral history research method and the functioning of community archives. It has been established that there are currently about 600 community archives in the Republic of Poland, based in libraries, cultural centers, public organizations, and other institutions. Most often, a community archive emerges as a grassroots initiative. These archives are founded by individuals – local historians, scholars, public figures, and others – who study the history of a region, city, or country. At the same time, such civic movements are supported by the state.

In essence, a community archive is generally defined as an initiative aimed at documenting the history of communities, events, and places through the collection of materials such as photographs, documents, and oral testimony recordings, with the goal of preserving subjective experiences and honoring participants of past events. Overall, the scope of a community archive is both broad and limited. Most frequently, the collections include the following types of documents: photographs; documents reflecting the life and activities of an individual, family, or organization; memoirs and diaries; records of community life (posters, newspapers, archival documents, etc.); as well as video and audio materials. There are no restrictions on who can establish a community archive. However, most often they are created by: governmental organizations, libraries, non-governmental institutions, and museums.

A distinctive feature of community archives is that they primarily preserve only digital copies of materials. The advantages of this include: protection of documents or materials from damage or destruction; accessibility to a wide audience; and the possibility of using the materials in various types of presentations (exhibitions, films, lectures, museum collections, etc.). This format offers a unique way to explore places, people, and uncover the stories and emotions contained within these materials.