Dear Colleagues
I am seeking advice on putting together a publicity leaflet for archive
services. It will come as no surprise to you, sadly, that these archive
services are rarely used by people from non-Caucasian backgrounds. To start
to address this issue we hope to receive funding to put together a 12 page
leaflet explaining the role and services of archives . 10,000 copies will
be printed in 10 languages (incl English) and distributed across Greater
Manchester. It is hoped to reach communities as diverse as the Chinese,
Pakistani and Afro-Caribbean.
Our own commissioned research has told us that ethnically diverse
communities feel completely excluded from institutions such as ourselves.
This is not necessarily because of the archives we hold but rather because
of the publicity, both textual and pictorial. Consequently, I am keen to
produce a booklet which is relevant and appealing to ethnically diverse
communities to raise awareness of archive services and how they might be
used by a wide range of people.
I would be particularly interested in advice on:
Wording - how to engage rather than alienate
Imagery
'Selling points' - any particular services that archives can offer that
would be of particular interest to such communities.
Any advice you can give me would be greatly received. Thanks
Elizabeth Oxborrow-Cowan
Greater Manchester County Record Office
56 Marshall Street
Manchester
M4 5FU
England
Tel + 44 161 819 4705
Fax + 44 161 839 3808
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