Wollongong City Library is set to host a special Scanning Day later this month, focusing on preserving the city's queer history. The event, scheduled for February 21 from 11am to 2pm, invites historians, activists, and LGBTQIA+ community members to bring items such as photos, posters, postcards, badges, flags, and ticket stubs for digitisation.
Rainbow South Coast chair Paul Middleton praised the initiative, noting that the queer community's history has often been overlooked. He recalled learning new details at an AIDS Day Memorial last November, highlighting the need to document stories of community groups and carers from the early days of the AIDS crisis.
Middleton attributed the historical lack of documentation to stigma, particularly around being gay and the myths surrounding AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s, which made people feel unsafe to speak openly. He believes preserving this history is empowering for younger LGBTQIA+ individuals, showing how far society has come in terms of acceptance and support.
Wollongong City Libraries manager Jessica Bruce said capturing diverse stories is a priority. 'We really want to shine a light on the lives, events and stories that haven't always made it into our local history collections,' she said. 'These moments matter, and we're excited to help preserve them for future generations.'
Local Studies librarians will assess, scan, or photograph items on the day, with the goal of building a more inclusive local collection. Middleton also praised the library for its ongoing support of the LGBTQIA+ community, including hosting events for both under-18s and over-18s.
