Paper Short Abstract:

In this presentation, we will present the difficulties we encountered when creating the Latvian Pandemic Diary Collection, the advantages and disadvantages of the chosen dynamic digital archiving strategy, the conceptual solutions we created in the process of archiving various materials, as well as retrospectively, what could be better alternatives. The presentation touches on the broader issue of digital-born material and social network archiving through a case study.

Paper Abstract:

As the first wave of the pandemic unfolded and lockdowns were imposed in most parts of the world in March 2020, institutions carrying out the study, preservation, and dissemination of cultural heritage – such as museums, libraries, universities, archives, and research centres – launched a range of initiatives.

In the Archives of Latvian folklore, there the Latvian Pandemic Diary Collection was made. It was archived in the digital archive garamantas.lv. The collection is available at: https://garamantas.lv/en/collection/1415829/Pandemijas-dienasgramatas-2020. It was initiated through an open-call crowdsourcing initiative to collect people’s recordings of their personal thoughts and emotional responses in this period of profound change and uncertainty. Methodologically, the project employed a versatile rapid-response crowdsourcing framework and dynamic digital archiving strategy, coupled with an intense outreach and social media campaign to encourage diary submissions.

In building this collection, we faced many unprecedented challenges. Firstly, the strategy for collecting the material had changed, material could not only be submitted, but also tagged with hashtags on social media posts. Secondly, given that most of these entries were digital born material, they also featured many internet attributes: the use of emoji, hyperlinks, references to others, in some cases even discussions and entire feeds. Many texts were also accompanied by additional material: photographs, drawings, music, and videos. In order not to lose the evidence of this era, our digital archive had to adapt both conceptually and technically. The presentation touches on the broader issue of digital-born material and social network archiving through a case study.