Local-history groups are being asked to provide contributions to the University's Mass Observation Archive to help build digital resources for the public, community organisations and researchers.

Sussex is running one of five new projects funded by JISC (which works with universities and colleges in the innovative use of digital technologies) that aim to break down the boundaries between universities and the surrounding communities by investing in digital content for all.

The Mass Observation Communities Online (MOCO) project, which will conclude in the autumn, will make a selection of archive material freely available online for the first time.

Jenna Bailey, project manager, said: "The unique material in the Mass Observation Archive will be used to illustrate several different techniques that community groups will be able to use in order to help develop their own community archives."

The first of four workshops with local community groups, hosted by the MOCO project team, is taking place on Friday (28 May) in Special Collections, based in the Library.

For more information, email info@mocoproject.org.uk