In a recent post on her blog ArchivesNext, Kate Theimer discusses the work she is preparing on ‘participatory archives’.

What I’m working on now is exploring ideas about what it means to build “participatory archives.” The concept draws upon the work our colleagues have done in defining concepts for the participatory library and the participatory museum, as well as on the general concept of participatory culture.

She is looking at how the concept ‘participatory archives’ can be used as a framework for other issues, such as:

• the evolution of ‘citizen culture’
• how to effectively harness user/partner contributions to the archives
• ‘community archives’ as found in the UK
• the need for transparency and openness about, and in the work of, the archivist
• the role of the archivist and issues of authority in participatory archives

Theimer invites further suggestions for what else to include, and some have been included in the comments to the post.