Training
Days
A
key component of the Shale Villages project is our ability
to ensure that all research groups involved receive suitable
access to archival material. Whether to conduct research here
at the Shale Oil Museum or at any other archive they wish
to, or need to, access. The Shale Villages project aims to
ensure that suitable training and the required skills are
provided to allow all to access any archive and be able to
handle any material, wherever it may be held.
To
this end, basic training on the technique of conducting oral
history has been given to groups at Roman Camps, Bridgend,
and the Livingston Station Women's Group, with further training
and equipment available to all groups who wish to conduct
oral history interviews.
Emma
Peattie at the West Lothian Archive and Record Centre has
developed training specifically for archival appreciation
and handling. The training, (pictures below), covers the expectations
of the archives for people handling material sensitively and
with respect. However, the training session also covers aspects
of using the documentary evidence, reading the material but
also in interpreting the material for more than its written
or printed information.
Emma
now runs training courses which allow attendees to handle
late 19th century documents, personal letters and parish records
using the correct equipment. Training can be as basic as ensuring
hands are washed before touching any documents, using only
pencils when taking notes, to making sure books and ledgers
are correctly supported and pages gently weighted to assist
continued preservation.
The
recent training day at the West Lothian Archives was attended
by Paddy, Anne and Helen from the Bridgend Reminiscence Group
and Tracy from Pumpherston Industrial Heritage (not pictured).
Anne, Helen and Emma discuss
the issues of archival material handling.
Anne using document supports
with page weights
Paddy is instructed on using
the in-house archive catalogue
West
Lothian Archives have welcomed the opportunity to provide
training to the groups from the Shale Villages Project. Following
the success of the first introductory session, the archive
will be offering training sessions to the wider community.
Emma Peattie commented, Our users often feel anxious about
touching the older material in our collections. It is hoped
that introductory sessions will provide local people with
the skills and confidence to both access and enjoy our holdings.
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