Chronicling Resistance, Enabling Resistance

Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL) will embark on a discovery process exploring new methods for telling the stories of Philadelphia’s rich heritage of resistance, and surfacing little-known materials held in special collections. Through guided discussions, listening events, town halls, and larger public events, PACSCL seeks to create a dialogue between its 38 member libraries—which include university libraries, government archives, and Philadelphia’s public library system—and communities of activists, teachers, students, and journalists, to give voice to both historical and current grassroots movements in ways that the consortium’s institutions traditionally have not. The historical and cultural materials within PACSCL members’ collections document three centuries of activism, from groups working to abolish slavery to the recent Occupy Philadelphia public demonstrations around issues of economic inequality. The discovery project will consider how to make these materials accessible to a broader audience and will culminate with a public event that encourages attendees to consider themselves partners in chronicling resistance movements in the 21st century and beyond.

Additional unrestricted funds are added to each grant for general operating support.