Community-based archives thrive on the contributions of staff, volunteers, and community members. While archival work is often done individually, the practice of asking questions can spark an opportunity for collaboration in the form of skill and knowledge sharing. Creating an atmosphere of open-communication will give way to the ability to ask other team members questions when one is:

• Curious about the history of a collection or document within the archives
• In need of assistance on an archival project they are working on independently
• Wondering about the institutional history of the organization
• Looking to ask about board members’ histories and background with the organization

To encourage an “ask me anything” culture within your organization, management can make an effort to remind staff and volunteers that:

• There are no such thing as stupid questions
• Projects do not have to be completed in isolation
• There are a number of ways to get in touch with managers and board members. Share all of the ways to get in contact, such as: a phone call, a text, an email, a video-conferencing call, a socially-distanced meeting.

Other ways to encourage a culture of asking questions include:

• Allocating the last 10-15 minutes of board meetings for open questions
• Regularly remind team members that you are available as a resource 
• Make time for one-on-one conversations with volunteers 
• Ask others about their skillsets
• Remain curious and remember there is always something to learn from others
• Explicitly identify and practice as a space of care, hospitality, and inclusion
• Acknowledging that perfectionism is a construct of white supremacy culture and that the values of “working towards” as opposed to “working for perfection” promote a healthy work environment that allows people to reach out for help when needed.

If space allows, create a co-working area with regular community office hours. Doing so will encourage the opportunity to work in the same space, even if projects are different