Over the past few weeks many of us have been stuck at home, struggling to find activities to do. In these difficult times, The Richmond Library services have come up with a way to leave your mark on history. They are looking for local people to send in diaries that they have written of their experiences during lockdown.
Even though a lot of scientific data and statistics are collected, the only way to know how people felt during a time of historical importance is through their own accounts. Diaries help show how the general public have reacted to a pandemic and how people might react to any future outbreaks.
Even if you haven’t started a diary yet, it’s never too late. You can write about your daily routine, thoughts and feelings. This is your personal account of life in lockdown. It doesn’t matter how good the writing is, you can write in the way that you speak. Writing a diary can also help you handle the struggles of lockdown, as writing can be therapeutic.
Any diary that is sent to the Richmond Local Studies Library and Archive will either be kept until everyone mentioned has passed away or, if you give you permission and the permission of everyone mentioned, it will be released earlier. You will be able to send your diary after lockdown has ended by post, email or in person. For further information go to the library blog: libraryblog.lbrut.org.uk/wordpress/
The Richmond Local Studies Library is only collecting diaries from residents of the borough. If you live elsewhere, your local library service might be doing something similar.
Anything you write will be important to the future. So why not have your place in history?
by Jamie Reger
