Please Help the Anarchist Archive Fund!

international | history of anarchism | appeal / petition Saturday February 05, 2011 01:37 by Nathan - NAASN

The Historical and Archival Working Group of the North American Anarchist Studies Network is currently pursuing a number of initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving the intellectual, political, and cultural heritage of the international anarchist movement. In addition to creating a new online archive for storing digital texts, we are also in discussion with archives around the globe regarding a common record system for anarchist archival and documentary materials. Lastly, and apropos this message, we are sponsoring a fund to help archives in Argentina, Italy, the United States, and many other countries purchase professional-quality storage folders, boxes, and other resources necessary for succesful historical preservation.

If you would like to assist us in this worthwhile endeavor, please visit http://naasn.org and use our ChipIn module to donate. Questions or concerns may be directed to nathan [dot] jun [at] mwsu [dot] edu.

Dear Comrades,

There are dozens of anarchist archives around the world. The 'best' of these (a term I use with some irony) are managed by universities, labor historical societies, and other well-endowed institutions; they have paid, professional staff; their materials are meticulously catalogued, safely stored, and preserved for posterity. Unfortunately, this is not the norm for many, if not most, of our archives. These storehouses of decades' worth of national and international anarchist history are often little more than warehouses or garages filled with mouldering boxes of paper. Their materials are not only uncatalogued but poorly preserved and frequently at risk for fire or water damage.

The Historical and Archival Working Group of the North American Anarchist Studies Network is currently pursuing a number of initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving the intellectual, political, and cultural heritage of the international anarchist movement. In addition to creating a new online archive for storing digital texts, we are also in discussion with archives around the globe regarding a common record system for anarchist archival and documentary materials. Lastly, and apropos this message, we are sponsoring a fund to help archives in Argentina, Italy, the United States, and many other countries purchase professional-quality storage folders, boxes, and other resources necessary for succesful historical preservation.

If you would like to assist us in this worthwhile endeavor, please visit http://naasn.org and use our ChipIn module to donate. Questions or concerns may be directed to nathan [dot] jun [at] mwsu [dot] edu.

In solidarity,

Nathan