----- Original Message -----
From: Schofield, Richard <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2000 12:34 PM
Subject: Replies to archives-nra
> Dear All
>
> While I can appreciate that people do not want their in-boxes filling up
> with mailbase messages all day, it does concern me that an increasing
number > of requests for information ask for replies 'off list'. Obviously,
not all
> enquiries are relevant to all subscribers (and many are repetitive) but
> surely part of the point of the listserv is to generate discussion and
> illuminate pertinent issues.
> Sorry if this is not something that meets with any support, or is 'old
hat',
> but I had to get it off my chest!
I entirely agree ... in fact I had been considering a posting along very
similar lines. It is not, after all, very difficult to delete messages
where the subject line suggests content which is not relevant to one's
needs - nor is there any necessity to spend time reading them. (The
majority of messages to this list probably suffer this same fate from most
of the members!)
In recent weeks the list seems to have been dominated mainly by
announcements regarding different jobs and meetings. No doubt these have
their place - but they don't make for especially stimulating reading, nor
offer much scope for people interacting and exchanging ideas online.
Surely there must be more people out there who can think of some things
about the archive profession which they would like to change - and who could
offer suggestions as to how we might at least begin doing so. Or how about
filling in some answers to at least one or two questions like:
* The things I least like about the Archive profession are ...
* The thing about Archives which I most wish I had known earlier is ...
* The most difficult members of the public are ... [wouldn't necessarily
have to name names, but it might be interesting to hear how you have handled
them]
* The reasons why we ought/ought not to be paid more are ... [I know these
issues have been raised before - but surely that one will still get people
going!]
* The best thing that we've achieved this year is ...
* The most curious item I ever discovered was ...
Any others? Some people might ask why I'm not so far offering any answers
for my own part - but for the moment let it suffice that I am raising the
issues.
Finally - let no-one try to say that questions like these should only be
raised in the newsletter, or at archive meetings. If they are worth
discussing (and I think they are) then it doesn't particularly matter which
venue is chosen - or if they are raised in several different places.
Aidan Jones,
Cumbria Record Office, Barrow.
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