Irene O'Brien   

Biography: Irene is the Senior Archivist in Libraries Information and Learning in Culture and Sport Glasgow. She has worked in Glasgow City Archives (formerly Strathclyde Regional Archives) since 1982. Irene was formerly the Chair of both the Society of Archivists, Scotland, and the Archivists of Scotland Local Authority Working Group, and also served on the UK Council of the Society of Archivists. She is a Director of the Scottish Archives Network and is on the Board of Studies for the Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical Studies at Strathclyde University.

Irene is the chair of the Scottish Council on Archives which is the strategic body for archives in Scotland and is currently in negotiations with the Scottish Government to provide sufficient funds to enable the SCA to establish an office with a Director and other professional staff, and also to operate a substantial grant scheme aimed at capacity building within the sector. In her capacity as chair of the SCA Irene represents Scotland on the UK Joint Forum on Museums, Libraries and Archives.

Abstract: Exploring new ways of promoting family and local history to a wider audience

The recent explosion of TV and other media interest in family and local history brings new opportunities for audience development. Drawing on the experience in Glasgow the workshop will explore different ways of making connections with the community and together we will identify and discuss how to develop capacity using the tools of the trade: access, learning and outreach.