To return to the main menu click the icon above.

What is Comma?

What are community archives?

Community archives are collections of still and video images, text and oral narratives that have been captured using specially developed Comma software. They are fully searchable databases that serve as a record of communities' cultural heritage and are published as local CD-ROMs and on the Internet. The three distinctive characteristics of community archives are:

• the community creates its own archive
• the community has editorial control over its archive
• the community owns the copyright in its archive

A wide range of groups are involved in community archives, they are based in community centres, schools, libraries and museums.

Although creating a community archive requires the use of new technology, it is not the dominant focus and the Comma software is very easy to use. Most groups also own the associated IT equipment.

Community archives promote understanding, tolerance and respect between generations and between diverse social, ethnic and cultural communities. By enabling communities to record and share their heritage, they foster active citizenship within a multicultural democracy.

About Commanet
Commanet is a charity that promotes and supports community archives. We offer advice on sources of funding and on setting up and running a community archive group. We supply Comma software and provide training, support and web hosting for community archives. We are partners with The National Archives and others in the Linking Arms and Community Access to Archives Projects. We are also involved in a number of community archive projects across the UK and worldwide, for example, Comma software is used for the Community Memories element of the Virtual Museum of Canada.