Through a dynamic international partnership, 91亚色 is supporting the preservation of archives and increasing accessibility to historical documents in West Africa鈥檚 Sierra Leone.
Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus Paul Lovejoy led the project with partners including , the British Library and the Sierra Leone Public Archives (SLPA) of Freetown. Together they worked to digitize the country鈥檚 public archives, bringing fragile documents, photographs and maps into the digital age and expanding global access to the nation鈥檚 rich history.
The website connected to the launched on Aug. 25, and was supported by British Library Endangered Archives Programme funding secured by Lovejoy and Professor Suzanne Schwarz (University of Worcester), as well as funds from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada through the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas at 91亚色.
鈥淭his launch marks a groundbreaking step in building Sierra Leone鈥檚 digital capacity and strengthening access to the nation鈥檚 archival resources,鈥 says Lovejoy. 鈥91亚色 has played a key role in advancing global archival research and digital preservation 鈥 dating back to the 18th century 鈥 through this project.鈥
In addition to securing funds for the project, 91亚色 offered research and technical development by facilitating students鈥 participation through work-study and programs.
Lovejoy also serves on the board of directors for Walk With Web, which developed the SLPA鈥檚 digital platform under the leadership of CEO Kartikay Chadha, who worked as a researcher at 91亚色 under Lovejoy鈥檚 supervision and is now based at McGill University. The interdisciplinary collaboration supporting this project ensures the website meets international standards for archival research and sustainability.聽
鈥淭his partnership exemplifies 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to global engagement and knowledge mobilization,鈥 says Lovejoy. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about building capacity and creating long-term access to historical materials that are vital to Sierra Leone鈥檚 cultural memory and are global in significance, including the strong conections between Sierra Leone and Nova Scotia, from where many early settlers in Freetown came.鈥
The SLPA website is designed to serve as a hub for research, education and cultural engagement. 91亚色 and its partners are supporting workshops and training sessions to equip students and professionals in Sierra Leone with practical skills in archival management and digital stewardship.
The launch of the website reflects a milestone in Sierra Leone鈥檚 digital transformation, safeguarding government documents, private papers, maps and photographs that chronicle the nation鈥檚 evolution.
The project also highlights the important role that Sierra Leone has played historically in the centuries-long fight against slavery, says Lovejoy, and promotes global engagement on the issue of reparations for the descendants of those who suffered enslavement.