A Case Study of Two County Libraries' Motivations in Archiving/Collecting Local Irish History and Folklore
Authors
O'Leary, Lisa
Issue Date
2019
Degree
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights
Abstract
The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the motivation behind why local Irish history and folklore is being archived/collected in two example county libraries. This study employed an inductive, qualitative research approach utilising a three-case case study methodology. The primary data was gathered via three semi-structured interviews with open-format questions, interviews were transcribed, and subsequent coding and analysis was thematic in nature. This research found that a fundamental motivating factor for archiving/collecting lies in the power and social memory of the archive/collection which embodies the significance of its existence and cultural identity which impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. Additionally, the material type often affects whether material is archived/collected, and while there are relationships between the libraries, libraries and the NFC, and archivists and librarians, connections are informal and inconsistent. In conclusion, much evidence of a complex motivation and collection of material, with informal but nonetheless interconnected relationships was established.