I monitor the archive listservs and write an article about them each
month in the newsletter. Two other people do the same for records
management and conservation. I have to say that in recent months, this
job has become increasingly difficult due to a lack of interesting
topics being discussed, and those who request replies off-list certainly
aren't helping. No item appeared in the latest issue of the newsletter
because there was simply nothing to write about!
When I first started subscribing to the listerv about 18 months ago it
seemed as if there were always plenty of things being discussed. From
chatting with other archivists, I increasingly get the impression that
people are not asking questions any more for fear of being shot down in
flames and appearing foolish. Speaking as a 'lone archivist', there
have been occasions when I have considered posting a request, only to
decide not to because I fear that I should already know the answer and
everyone else will think that I'm a bad archivist. I am sure that there
are others in a similar situation and it worries me that we are letting
a potentially invaluable tool go to waste.
Back to the newsletter - I must stress that my role is only to report on
what has been discussed, and I do not feel that the article I write
should become a platform for my own opinions. What Jude Dicken was
asking for was for someone to actually take a bit of a stance on a
particular issue and perhaps stimulate interest beyond the listserv. It
is worth pointing out that, as far as I am aware, the articles I have
written have prompted no response whatsoever.
However, as some people seem to be completely unaware of my articles,
this should come as no surprise (and I thought I was performing such a
valuable service!). Len - am I right in thinking that you are no longer
a member of the Society, in which case you are excused, but the rest of
you should be ashamed of yourselves. Personally I read my Newsletter
from cover to cover at least twice!
With best wishes (and tongue firmly in cheek during the last paragraph
in the firm belief that all archivists have got a sense of humour - how
else do we all manage to accept such laughable salaries?),
Maria Sienkiewicz
Oldham Local Studies and Archives
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