Intro to Community Archiving

4-Week Course Starts OCT 12, 2026

Course Description

What are community archives? How are they different than “traditional” archives? This course will introduce the basics, challenges, and opportunities of community archives, how to plan a community archive, and explore examples of digital and physical community archives. The course is geared toward archive and library professionals.


Learning Objectives

  • Understand the meaning and value of both community and participatory archiving
  • Recall best practices for collaborations and partnerships
  • Learn tools for incorporating aspects of community and participatory archiving and be able to envision relevant plans for a repository


Total Course Hours: 10 Hours/ 1 CEU


"Intro to Community Archiving is a great foundational course for learning how to center community history, voices, experiences, and objects into existing archives or how to work with communities to create new archives. Even without an archival background, I found the course manageable and I learned a lot! The course supplements existing work I do with communities around preservation of history and culture and has given me more of an academic orientation to those practices. Definitely recommend!"

- Adrienne Burke, Principal at Community Planning Collaborative, Jacksonville, FL

Your Instructor


Course Instructor
Course Instructor

"Taking this class has been a transformative experience. The course not only deepened my understanding of community archiving but also provided me with practical tools to engage with descendant communities in meaningful ways. The case studies illuminated how community-driven initiatives can preserve history and challenge traditional archival practices. The hands-on approach and thoughtful discussions helped me connect theory to practice, and I now feel equipped to contribute to preserving underrepresented voices in my own work. I highly recommend this class to anyone passionate about archives, history, and social justice."

- Cyndy Hamilton, Archive Librarian, Deale, MD

? Frequently Asked Questions

When does the course start and finish?

  • This course starts on OCT 12, 2027. It is an asynchronous online course designed to be completed in 4 weeks.
  • Participants will spend approximately 2.5 hours each week on viewing lectures, answering quizzes, and completing written assignments.
  • It is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.
When is the last day for enrollment?
  • The last day for enrollment is FRIDAY OCT 09, 2026
Will the instructor be available for feedback and questions?
  • Absolutely! Your instructor will provide feedback for each assignment and will be available via email for any questions you may have. A discussion forum is also available where participants can post questions.
How long do I have access to the course material?
  • You will have unlimited access for three months from the start date of this course.
Will I receive a Certificate of Completion?
  • In order to receive a Certificate of Completion you must:
  1. View all video lectures
  2. Answer all quizzes
  3. Complete all written assignments
  • When you complete these three items you can expect to receive you certificate within 2 weeks.
I am having trouble enrolling. Help!
  • We're sorry to hear this. Here are some options:
  1. Try enrolling with a different browser or with a different device (laptop, tablet, smart phone, etc.)
  2. Email us at info@preservethis.org for an invoice. This will be emailed to you and you can pay through the link provided in the invoice.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
  • We offer a 14-day refund (from the day the course starts) on all asynchronous courses. Send your refund request to info@preservethis.org.

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