Introducing the Philadelphia Social Justice Archives

Big news for the community collections-loving crowds among us: Today marks the official launch of the Philadelphia Social Justice Archives (www.phillysja.org).

The PhillySJA is something of an heir of the Radical Archives of Philadelphia (which is currently in transition). Working, in part, from the collection of the RAP, PhillySJA has begun scanning flyers “for the enjoyment of all”.

I hope you join me in wishing them the best of luck at this early phase. Certainly any words of encouragement would be welcome.

Keep an eye on this project:

Website: http://www.phillysja.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/phillysja

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phillysja

Informed Agitation – Just Published!

Informed Agitation
Editor: Melissa Morrone
Published: February 2014
ISBN: 978-1-936117-87-1

Great news for all of us interested in the use of libraries and archives for social causes: a new collection of essays, Informed Agitation: Library and Information Skills in Social Justice Movements and Beyond was just published by Library Juice Press.

This volume features an essay on the Radical Archives of Philadelphia that I wrote back when it was a thriving daily adventure of community archival activity. (It has since gone a little quiet, but there are new plans in the works: more on that in the near future).

The introduction and table of contents can be read over here, and be sure to ask your local library to grab a copy. This is a great book for folks just coming into the library/archives world and who may be wondering how to use their new-found powers for good.

Lastly, there are plans in the works to build author events in the near future. Details, links, and all that will be shared as they become available.