The more I learn about and spend time in archives, the more I am convinced that this is the truth: the items in the archives belong to no one, and everyone has a right to see what’s in them. This understanding brings me clarity, and allows me to feel more like myself in any institutionalized setting that holds archival objects or documents, which allow us to connect and transform history from a thing on the shelf to an activated, energetic object in my hands. In this manner, history is as alive, breathing, open, and problematic as any person can be. If history is in front of me, and I am responsible for it, then it should have the best forms of care around it.
I enter archives the way I would after being invited into someone’s home–carefully, and with some understanding of the rules and parameters that make such an invitation possible. An odd thing about archives is that it’s not a home, and I’ve always invited myself over. Archives are more of an open house–open to everyone, but only those who want to come in. All homes have rules, preferences, people, and cultural or personalized markers that discern it from other places. Archives are no different in that vein, however, I have felt many times that I do not belong in research spaces, especially those where a majority of fellow researchers are buttoned-up older white men and women who do not look in my direction or acknowledge my presence even if we are seated at the same table. If anything, this dissonance encourages me to become even more of who I am as a youthful, Filipina American poet and scholar who often wears colors, textures, and adornments inside these cold, dusty reading rooms where silence is the absence of community. I know for myself that there are thousands more Pinays like me–in the past, present, and future–who will be fascinated by archives and the multitudes of stories we’ll tell with the objects of history that have been simultaneously kept for us and kept away from us.
I want to offer this short list of expectations for those who will enter archives. I hope that, as you find more than what you are looking for–and a lot of what you may not need–these offerings will assist you along the way.
1. Take a deep breath to ground yourself. You may have strong emotions come up now or later.
2. Remember and reflect on what an archive is and who it’s for.
3. Ask yourself what you are looking for; it’s okay not to know, but offer key words or general topics for the librarian, clerk, or archivist helping you.
4. It’s a community effort, and it can be flawed.
I’ve been inside two kinds of archives: a library holding manuscripts and a museum research center holding mostly baskets, objects, weapons, coins, textiles, and so much more. It was, essentially, a refrigerator for all of the items inside of it. Both locations were light-controlled, temperature-controlled and therefore cold, clean, and free of dirt and dust. Neither were sterile nor derelict. They were full of mystery and answers. When I think of time as a place, I think of the fullest stacks and shelves.
5. There are other people, shareholders, responsible and they care too; they may be able to help navigate who may need to be made aware of what’s wrong, unjust, culturally insensitive, or out of order (see: take a deep breath).
6. Remember that there are gaps between study, practice, and how people are treated.
7. Read the website, make an appointment, and contextualize the space for yourself; handle the administrative back end.
8. Be familiar with the rules of the space.
9. Objects to be familiar with: string weights or book snakes, foam support, storage cases, gloves, archival polyester, overhead phone mounts, light boards, magnifying glasses, lead pencils, and more tools that will help you “see” better.
I feel the most curious with gloves on, or using a book snake, or sitting with an open box ready to read and feed a hunger to answer my research question. I’m interested in studying Philippine archives in the American Midwest. Growing up in California, much of what I knew about Asian American history and Filipino American History was West Coast-specific. I am surprised to find so many places in the Midwest that feel like home.
10. Keep in mind the differences between texts and objects. Texts will require intense reading, but it will be fun to read the text as an object, and to read and hold objects as a document.
11. Create a system for organizing information. Mimicking the library catalog of the institution may be best in case you’d like to return.
12. Question how things are organized. Are they alphanumerical, listed according to donors, or chronological? Sometimes, they are in no particular order, and part of your role is ordering them for your own understanding and stories.
13. Communicate about and keep your appointments.
14. Share what you learn. More people deserve to know.
I have met so many amazing fellow researchers along the way. I’ve seen them check out manuscripts by indigenous peoples made out of natural materials like mud and bamboo, or a Greek papyrus collection from the 5th century, and queer protest art from the 1970s and 1980s. They’ve told me stories of archives, wild moments in history via their research, and I’ve found my work intersecting with theirs, at times. I believe there is magic that we can co-create in the archives.
15. Believe in the Spirit of the object or document; it gets to see light because of you.
16. Some things might make you very angry.
17. Check in with yourself in between items.
18. Ask yourself, “What am I looking at? What cultural values or history does it connect to?”
19. More questions to ask yourself: Who is missing? Who is telling the story? What can I make of this?
20. Write process and reflection notes after you leave.
As the Ralph C. and Mary Lynn Heid Rare Materials Research Fellows studying the Philippine History Collection this past summer across four different archives on the U of M campus, I know that there is much to learn and discover, and I take comfort in knowing that I can return. I take comfort in knowing that the documents and objects are protected, cared for–archived.
