By Maggie McDonald
MLS Director and Professor Devan Donaldson’s fall 2023 Introduction to Archives and Records Management course provided library science students with both theoretical and practical experience—and most importantly, the opportunity to get hands-on experience using their archival skills to work with the extended IU community.
The class kicked off the semester by collaborating with the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center (NMBCC) on an exciting assignment. Students worked in groups on practical, hands-on projects focused on several themes from the history of the NMBCC and Black culture on the Bloomington campus. Themes included the spaces and places of the NMBCC through time, how the NMBCC has built and supported community, a history of the IU NMBCC Black Knowledge Bowl, and Black Faculty and Staff at IU.
Dr. Donaldson and NMBCC Director Dr. Gloria Howell decided to work together after a discussion about the material collections donated to the NMBCC. Dr. Donaldson said, “Students need tangible examples, so I thought there was a way that we could complement each other”.
Archives students focused on ways they could use the NMBCC’s large collection to create an effective exhibit in the center’s display room, which offered wall space and glass cases to house selected objects. They were responsible for everything from curating their exhibits to creating collection labels and determining which items, groups, and layouts would activate the space in order to share over 60 years of stories from the NMBCC and Bloomington’s Black community.
The NMBCC’s history is filled with pride, joy, and excellence, but also moments of hardship and loss, which archives students needed to convey in a balanced manner. Students took special care to tell stories in a way that was both tasteful and accessible without overwhelming audiences, showing how the NMBCC grew and changed during times of both triumph and strife.
According to Dr. Donaldson, this project was an exercise in mutual trust and consideration—the archives class and NMBCC staff had to rely on each other throughout and collaborate in a thoughtful, mutually-beneficial way to work effectively together. Dr. Donaldson said, “this type of experiential learning ultimately supports Indiana University’s mission, which is “to create, disseminate, preserve, and apply knowledge.”’ Indeed, by the project’s conclusion, students shared several exhibition plans with NMBCC staff, and the two groups had formed a productive working relationship, reminding both students and community members of the power that archival work can have. NMBCC Director Dr. Gloria Howell stated, “Having the students in Dr. Donaldson’s class work with our artifacts and provide solid recommendations for organizations, storage, and management was such a joy. Mrs. Nancy and I had the pleasure of witnessing the students’ final presentations, and we were moved to tears. They put an incredible amount of effort, thought, and care into these items, most of which they were seeing and learning about for the first time.
“We have implemented their recommendations, specifically purchasing materials and equipment and displaying pieces according to the layouts they offered. Having them work on the archives in these early stages was not just a training ground for the students but it alleviated the stress and worry that my staff would have had due to lack of expertise.
“The way that Dr. Donaldson taught and supported his students while engaging with us at the Center is a shining example of what a successful partnership can look like between an academic department and a culture center. We’re looking forward to keeping it going!”