Capturing the city’s earthquake memories

Monday 4 July

Christchurch City Council is working with a number of agencies to create a lasting memory of the Canterbury earthquakes.

Christchurch City Libraries is gathering specialists from around 16 different organisations for a workshop this week looking at archiving Christchurch’s earthquake experience.

The workshop includes staff from museums, libraries, archives, public agencies such as National Library, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and the University of Canterbury. It will provide an overview of the types of earthquake related records being collected, future collecting plans, and to identify gaps, duplication and resource needs.

Christchurch City Council’s Libraries and Information Unit Manager Carolyn Robertson says this will enable agencies that collect information to work together collecting memories of the quake experience and recovery process.

The earthquakes have offered information specialists a once in a lifetime chance to record a turning point in the region’s history.

We take it very seriously that we must leave an excellent record for future generations to help them understand what this disaster and historic turning point was like for us, she says.

Meanwhile, Christchurch City Libraries is calling for community stories and materials about the Canterbury earthquakes, response and recovery.

Ms Robertson says it is important to collect unofficial stories as well as the official record such as news articles, reports and legislation.

If the only information that is preserved is the publications and media record, it won’t give a full perspective on people’s actual experiences. We are lucky that these days, with mobile technology, almost anyone can create memories for the archive, so we hope to capture a rich record.

The material can take any form, including photos, videos, documents and memorabilia.

Ms Robertson says all material collected will be cared for, and only used in ways that contributors are happy with.

We are also interested in capturing experiences over the forthcoming months and years as we rebuild our lives and city, and adjust to the 'new normal', she says.

The public can share their memories for posterity using the following methods:

• Complete the online form at /Forms/Earthquake/
• Contact the archives team and send material via librariesearthquakearchive@ccc.govt.nz
• Send any earthquake related material (eg flyers, newsletters, posters, notices, forms, etc) to Jane Rodgers, Collection Performance & Policy Analyst, PO Box 73045, Christchurch
• Login in to the Canterbury Earthquake Kete at http://ketechristchurch.peoplesnetworknz.info/canterbury_earthquakes_2010_2011 and upload your own material