TRUE SKOOL TV's video: Revealing Milwaukee s Hip Hop Archive Project

Recap: Community Archiving Workshop (CAW) x TRUE Skool - Milwaukee, WI, December 2024 The Community Archiving Workshop (CAW) in collaboration with TRUE Skool was held in Milwaukee, bringing together local community members, archivists, and preservationists to explore hands-on approaches for safeguarding historical audiovisual materials. The event highlighted the critical need to preserve media formats—such as magnetic tapes, films, and optical discs—while equipping participants with practical knowledge and techniques to assess, inventory, and stabilize these collections. The workshop began with a warm welcome and technical presentations that provided an overview of the three key format types (magnetic video and audio, optical media) and their unique preservation challenges. Participants learned how to identify formats, understand their historical significance, and assess their condition using visual inspection techniques. Interactive workstations allowed attendees to engage with audiovisual materials through hands-on activities, such as inspecting film reels for vinegar syndrome, managing mold remediation, and ensuring proper storage practices. Demonstrations on audio digitization and optical media review also gave participants insights into digital preservation techniques. The day concluded with a community conversation, fostering dialogue about the importance of archiving in preserving cultural heritage. Attendees left empowered with the tools and understanding necessary to initiate preservation efforts within their own communities, ensuring that the stories, voices, and media of the past remain accessible for future generations. This collaborative event underscored the power of community-driven archiving to safeguard our collective history.