University of California, Irvine

The University of California, Irvine will conduct a three-year research project about how libraries can bridge the gap between ethnic studies theory and community archives practice and the outcomes of undergraduate students applying what they learn in ethnic studies combined with their lived experience in contributing to community archives. The project team will embed library principles and practices into ethnic studies curricula in order to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from faculty and students in the departments of Asian American Studies, Chicano/Latino Studies, and African American Studies. Two cohorts of 15 students will participate in paid summer internships focused on community archiving and help collect and describe historical materials for inclusion in a central digital portal. Based on the research findings, the project team will work to enhance the community-based research and oral history skills of the students, while teaching them library preservation and archival skills and helping them explore career options.