Community Work: Community Organizing Archive
DONATING RECORDS AND PAPERS TO THE ARCHIVE OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AT THE JOHN HAY LIBRARY
The Brown University Archives and Manuscripts, housed in the John Hay Library, has a long history of archiving material from the University and its alumni, as well as various Rhode Island groups and organizations. Over the years, we have accumulated some material regarding activists and community organizing. Among these are the Rhode Island Feminist Theatre Archive (1973-1984), the records of the Rhode Island Women’s Health Collective (1975-1997), the records of ACT UP Rhode Island (1988-1995), the Papers of labor organizer and community activist Sarah Fell-Yellin (1920-1960) and materials on the Brown-Tougaloo partnership, as well as other materials that document the activism of Brown’s students and faculty. We are therefore pleased at the prospect of expanding our collections to document the activities of Brown alumni and others in the field of community organizing and social activism by establishing the Brown Community Organizing Archive.
The new Annex of the Brown University Archives in Cranston allows for additional storage. All materials in the Archives of Community Organizing would be accessible, at the John Hay Library, to students, faculty, and researchers, both now and in the future.
What to send?
Documents and materials relating to the structure and work of activist groups, organizations and centers in all areas of activity (education, labor, health, anti-poverty, civil rights, feminism, GLBT, etc.)
Documents and materials relating to individual activists
Curriculum, teaching aids, outlines, placards, signs, notes, buttons, bumper stickers, and other materials related to activists and their work
Pictures, year books, albums, diaries, journals – e.g., all published and unpublished accounts of organizing efforts and events
Video tapes, audio recordings, and other multi-media
What not to send?
Employment records (e.g., pay stubs or other material with social security numbers)
Toxic substances
Invoices and other routine business records
How to send it?
Before sending materials please contact the University Archives and Manuscripts at (401) 863-6414.
Leave material in the original order and either send in the original boxes (if they are sturdy, in good condition, and can be easily lifted by an average person), or in cardboard “bankers boxes” (a cubic foot box with carry handles).
Label it as it was filed in the drawers.