Inclusive Collections, Inclusive Libraries is an RLUK programme of events that aims to foster conversation around decolonisation and inclusive practice in collecting, describing, presenting, and engaging with content in research library collections. It seeks to raise awareness about the opportunities and challenges of dealing with, contextualising, and engaging with offensive collections while also identifying and sharing examples of good practice.
Reclaiming Heritage in the Past, Present, and Future: Barbados’ Digital Ecosystem for Cultural Self-Representation
Thursday 12 December, 16:00 – 17:00 (GMT), 17:00 – 18:00 (CET), 18:00 – 19:00 (EET/SAST), 08:00 – 09:00 (PST), 11:00 – 12:00 (EST)
Marginalised communities and nations worldwide struggle to overcome colonial mindsets in digital curation environments that keep their cultural heritage preservation at the margins. The high cost of digitisation equipment, computing infrastructure, and underinvestment in knowledge workers in the cultural heritage sector reinforce barriers to quality and sustainable preservation. Inclusion concepts echo the call to create ‘seats at the table’ but homegrown initiatives in this landscape show that both tables and seats must be created.
In order to reclaim the telling of its history, Barbados has launched a self-contained cultural heritage preservation and data analysis ecosystem program. Saving Barbados’ critical genealogical, governmental, and Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade records has taken centre stage, initiating a network of information management practitioners to digitally and physically protect these records. This talk will contextualise the program, review aspects of the planning, and bring participants into some innovative work being done by Bajans to derive meaning from digitised content. These efforts integrate local work by new entrants to the GLAM sector with initiatives underway around the world, establishing Barbados as a full partner in the retelling of Atlantic history in the digital age.