A Journey of Archival Enlightenment: My Experience With the Joan van Albada Archivist Training Fund
- Dr Ayodele John Alonge
Starting on the Journey
My academic and professional interests have always been profoundly based in Library and Archives Archvial . My career has been driven by a desire to combine our field's old traditions with the dynamic possibilities of current technology. However, the path to achieving this integration was not without challenges, especially due to limited chances for advanced archive studies in Nigeria.
The JAATF, a visionary effort founded with significant contributions from Joan van Albada and his partner, was a watershed moment. This grant is more than just a scholarship; it is a bridge to global knowledge, meant to help archivists from underrepresented locations gain international recognition. Being chosen for this programme was more than just an honour; it was a rallying cry to explore the unexplored waters of archival science and technology.
The Academic Journey in the Netherlands
My academic experience at the University of Amsterdam was nothing short of revelatory. Prof. Charles Jeurgens' challenging programme challenged my preconceptions and extended my horizons. Courses like digital curation and recordkeeping informatics were more than just lectures; they were incubators for critical thinking and creativity. They prompted me to confront the inherent prejudices of established archival institutions, as well as to consider archives' role in a just and inclusive society.
This intellectual awakening was accompanied by a hands-on internship at the University of Groningen, where I was welcomed into a community of scholars and practitioners committed to the promotion of archival science. The supportive community and guidance I received in this thriving academic environment greatly influenced my work as a researcher and practitioner.
The research project at the University of Groningen Library, which focused on the digitization and preservation of historical maps, was a watershed moment in my journey. This project was more than just an academic exercise; it was an investigation into how these cartographic treasures, which capture the geographical imaginations and historical narratives of bygone times, may be reinterpreted and revitalised for the digital age.
The initiative investigated the technological, ethical, and epistemological implications of digitization. It entailed a detailed analysis of user involvement, an assessment of digital preservation issues, and a critical examination of maps' expressive roles throughout history. The findings of this study highlighted digitization's transformative potential in making historical maps more accessible, engaging, and relevant to current audiences.
As I reflect on this incredible experience, I feel a strong sense of purpose and possibility. The JAATF has provided me with a unique viewpoint and a diversified toolkit to help shape archive practices in Nigeria and beyond.
My goal is to spark a renaissance in our field—a movement that promotes novel archival approaches, encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, and pushes for the democratisation of historical knowledge. I am committed to sharing my learnings from this journey with my peers, students, and the global archival community, in the hopes that we may work together to create an archival landscape that is thoughtful, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
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