Pedro Meira Monteiro, Brazil LAB faculty affiliate and Professor and Chair of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, reports on a pathbreaking academic partnership between Princeton and the University of São Paulo (USP) aimed at enhancing archival practices and knowledge exchange. 

On May 15, 2024, a symposium held at the Biblioteca Brasiliana Guita e José Mindlin (BBM-USP) gathered prominent intellectuals from the archival and academic communities to discuss the evolving role of archives and community libraries in preserving collective memory and addressing contemporary societal changes.

A highlight of this collaboration was the visit of Fernando Acosta-Rodríguez, Librarian for Latin American Studies, Latino Studies, and Iberian Peninsular Studies at Princeton’s Firestone Library. Funded by Firestone and PIIRS’s Brazil LAB, Acosta-Rodríguez’s visit facilitated a productive exchange of experiences between Princeton and various Brazilian institutions, including community archives. 

The symposium and subsequent discussions underscored the need for bibliodiversity and open, horizontal international collaboration. The event also paved the way for future engagements, with a follow-up conference planned at the University of São Paulo in October 2024, during Princeton’s fall break. This ongoing partnership highlights the commitment of both Princeton and Brazilian institutions to advance archival practices and support the dynamic interplay between established archives and community-driven memory initiatives.