Central Library’s Edinburgh and Scottish Collection have a long history of collecting material relating to the changing life and times of the city.
Today, they also collect digital submissions from people who can upload their own pictures and memories to Edinburgh Collected, the online community archive
During the time of lockdown living Edinburgh Collected is asking the public to help record the visual signs of how life in Edinburgh has changed so that the important visual records are preserved for history.
They are particularly keen to see the little acts of creativity and messages of thanks and positivity that are helping everyone to keep smiling.
They have received some lovely picture memories so far but they would like to capture a complete picture of Edinburgh at this time. Do you have any photos of your neighbourhood that you’ve taken while out for your daily exercise or going to the supermarket that you could share?
Anyone can create an account and add pictures and memories to Edinburgh Collected. Once added, they will add your contributions to the ‘Edinburgh 2020 – coronavirus pandemic’ scrapbook.
Their colleagues in Museums and Galleries and in the City Archives are also collecting material related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Museums and Galleries Edinburgh are looking to collect objects for their museum collections which represent experiences of people in Edinburgh during the pandemic. They’re hoping for donations of everyday objects that have helped you get through the lockdown, e.g. certain equipment you’ve used to keep you safe, a note from your neighbour or the rainbow you made for your window.
If you have something to offer, please email anna.macquarrie@edinburgh.gov.uk. Explain what the item is, what it means to you, and include a photo if you can. Staff cannot physically collect any material until it is safe to do so and venues reopen.
Edinburgh City Archives are collecting diaries and journals covering this period. They will collect these in various forms: paper or digital, text or audio-visual, published on a website/social media or kept privately in an app, book, or document. If you keep any of these and would be willing to donate it to the Archives for posterity please visit their webpage
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
