shared learning
projects

A Shared Learning Project at the Museum in Docklands: A
Warehouse of Memories

Housed in an atmospheric 19^th century warehouse building at West India Quay, The
Museum in Docklands is dedicated to the story of London's river, port and people.

The Sainsbury Study Centre at the Museum in Docklands opened in October 2005
and provides public access to two major archive collections: the Museum in
Docklands Library and Archives (which chart the development and activity of the
London docks, port and river) and the Sainsbury Archive (which documents the
history of one of the nation's oldest food retailers).

U3A members have been invited by the Museum in Docklands to work with the
Archivists responsible for these two collections on a Shared Learning Project. The
goal of this Project will be to develop new resources for the Public Information Zone

area of the Centre with the aim of opening up access to the archives and engaging
museum visitors.

With guidance from the archivists, members of the team will research and create
subject 'files' (eg a brief history of a dock, riverside trade, Sainsbury's branch or
wartime food), suitable for public browsing. For the Museum's Port & River
Archives, this project will include updating and improving the extensive but currently
unwieldy range of 'topic boxes' which already exist.

There will also be the possibility of creating short public presentations and
accompanying 'experience boxes' for popular topics, providing the opportunity for
general visitors to view and handle original items from the archive.

If you are interested in the history of London and in social history, you enjoy research
and like working in a team, this Project could well be of interest to you: no prior
knowledge or experience are required although computer literacy would be an
advantage. However, your enthusiasm is paramount!

The Project will start on Wednesday 16^th January 2008 with an introductory session
from 13-30 hrs - 15.30hrs and continue fortnightly from 11.30am to 3.30pm with a
break for lunch at 1.30pm. The last session will be after Easter on Wednesday 26^th
March - a total of six sessions. If you think you might be interested, please contact
Ursula Steiger, Project Leader: Tel: 01227711536 or email: ursulae@btinternet.com
for more information.