Dear Maria,
Of course I read your summaries in the Newsletter , and - yes - I am still a
member of the Society of Archivists, a bit late in paying my dues, perhaps,
but I am even registered.
I did not mean to cast any aspersions on your contributions to the
Newsletter. What I meant was that if the editors thought that an item
appearing in this medium is worth a wider audience, it should be
reprinted/reproduced in a Society printed medium. So long as people aren't
expected to tidy it up and make it what it wasn't - a 'proper' article.
I also do not think that you ought to worry whether you are a 'bad'
archivist just because you ask apparently simple questions. I have been a
one-person band (is there such a thing?) for too long to know how important
communication with other professionals really are. We all meet problems that
do not readily have solutions. A 'bad' archivist is one who keeps their
solutions to themselves, and does not set out to help a fellow professional.
My own advice is that if you want to know something - ask. You'll be
surprised how many people will set out to help you. Perhaps it olght to be
part of pre-registration. How much effort do you make in self-education?
Yours Len
++++++++++++++++L.J. McDonald
46 Weaver Ave
Rainhill
PRESCOT, Merseyside
Phone: 0151-426 5273
Mobile: 07775 914796
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: ELS Oldham Archives Service <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2000 2:42 PM
Subject: Newsletter and listserv
> 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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