We are delighted to share that our colleague Karyn Williamson has been nominated for the Archives and Records Association (ARA) Record Keeper of the Year Award 2025!
This recognition reflects Karyn’s outstanding contribution to the archives and digital preservation sector, particularly her collaborative, community-centred approach and her commitment to widening participation and access.
We also warmly congratulate the other nominees for this year’s award, whose work continues to inspire excellence across the profession.
A key achievement highlighted in Karyn’s nomination is her leadership in developing the Community Archives Digital Preservation Toolkit, created as part of the Towards a National Collection programme through the Our Heritage, Our Stories (OHOS) project.
This work was supported by partners including the University of Glasgow, with leadership from Professor Lorna Hughes, whose role in the OHOS project has been instrumental in enabling this important initiative.
The toolkit itself is a practical, flexible resource designed in collaboration with community archive groups, ensuring that guidance is grounded in real-world needs and experiences. It offers:
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A structured, step-by-step approach to digital preservation that can be followed in full or used selectively
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Guidance organised into levels, making it accessible to both beginners and more experienced practitioners
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A matrix of topics covering the lifecycle of digital materials
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Practical tools such as a “Just One Thing” quick-start guide, case studies, and a jargon buster
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Emphasis on confidence-building and achievable actions, recognising that even small steps can make a significant difference
The toolkit is freely available online: https://www.dpconline.org/digipres/implement-digipres/community-archives-dp-toolkit
Karyn’s nomination is a testament not only to her expertise, but also to her generosity, leadership, and ability to bring people together to create meaningful, lasting impact across the sector.
We are incredibly proud to work alongside her and look forward to seeing the continued influence of her work, both through the toolkit and beyond.