Ian McLean Wards Scholar aims to demystify archives

Ian McLean Wards Scholar aims to demystify archives with a New Zealand-centric Advocacy Publication

Taranaki-born archivist & curator Cameron S. Curd has been awarded the 2018 Ian McLean Wards Scholarship to research and publish an advocacy resource entitled Making Memories Matter. This publication will provide a tool for archivists to engage the public on what archivists do, what archives are, the importance of archives to society, and the cultural value of archives in New Zealanders lives.

“During my time as the Kaitiaki Pukapuka-a-Rohe/District Archivist at Aotea Utanganui Museum of South Taranaki, I’ve come across many people still uncertain as to what archives are and the role of the archivist. My goal by creating this publication is to demystify the role of the archivist for everyday New Zealanders, and to show how archives are used in everyone’s daily lives, and in turn, how important they can be,” says Cameron.

The purpose of Cameron’s research is to collate and publish an advocacy publication that provides a tool for archivists to explain their profession in a simple and engaging way. As part of the publication he will be creating a specialist resource to engage children as the next generation protectors of our archives. The work will draw upon collection across New Zealand and highlight archival holdings with advocacy groups like Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Archives NZ, and professional associations including the Association of Archives and Records New Zealand (ARANZ). His intention is that the publication will help not only benefit the profession but the wider community as well.

The Ian McLean Wards annual scholarship was established in 2013 by the Ian McLean Wards Memorial Trust to assist researchers and practitioners in the librarianship, archives and records management fields to undertake research for a specific project advancing knowledge or improving practice relating to the recording, care, or conservation, of historical research materials.

The scholarship honours the outstanding cultural contributions of the late Ian McLean Wards (1920-2003), Chief Government Historian between 1968 and 1983. A life member of the Archives and Records Association of New Zealand and the Friends of the Turnbull Library, Ian was also a stalwart of many other cultural and artistic organisations. He is widely remembered for his untiring campaigns to safeguard the nation's historical records and the integrity of the institutions holding them.

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