Children's Access to the Archives: Past, Present and Future

<p dir="ltr">This paper explores the historical access children have had to museum archives, how digital archiving processes impact that access today and how future access to archives can bring positive change, with analysis centred primarily around UK-based museums and practice. In the mid-twentieth century, school-age children were sporadically encouraged to access museum archives and collections to do their own research and develop their skills of historical and scientific enquiry. This practice was met with varying levels of enthusiasm and backlash. Students in the present day, typically aged between 11 and 25, are encouraged to use museum online databases to research countries and objects. However, there is limited discussion about how children and young people might be able to contribute to these databases and archives. What if children and young people know more about these objects than is catalogued within the museum? This paper seeks to establish a dialogue between children's research in physical, twentieth-century museum archives and the digital archives of today. Just how accessible are today's museum archives for children and young people? And how does this accessibility compare to that of the past? This paper also aims to explore the future of museum archives and access for children, with potential implications for museum repatriation practice. Current projects - such as ‘Our Shared Cultural Heritage’ - explore topics of contested heritage with young audiences. The success of such projects raises the question of how this work can be expanded in future. After discussing the available literature, this paper explores and collates past and current international practice, drawing on two case studies to highlight innovative work in this area and potential avenues for the future. By highlighting past and current best practices, we can create a framework for engaging young people with research, improving museum engagement and benefiting the communities that these museums serve.</p>