In reply to Sarah's query about Jenkinson, whilst unable to give chapter & verse, I think he did argue that appraisal was best carried out by those who had created the records rather than the archivist, who might introduce an 'interesting' bias, rather than being objective about the records' evidential value. I would agree with those arguing that there will still be a case for appraisal even if we are in a world where it is technologically possible to keep everything, not to mention the fact that we are still waiting for the paperless office. What is more, whilst 'keep everything' may be a new mantra, there remains the danger that many electronic records will have already been lost because we are currently encouraged to 'housekeep' our computers and delete 'unnecessary files' when possible. I am sure we can all give examples of fascinating paper records that have survived whose contemporary equivalents are lost to us because of word-processing, email etc. I am only too well aware that that is the current challenge facing me - dealing with the archive here as it stands but also ensuring that the mechanisms are in place to protect equivalent electronic records from disposal, and that includes appraisal, by me and the administrative staff who create them. Much of the argument here has already been made eloquently already so I won't labour the point further!
Eleanor Roberts
Archivist
Halle
0161 237 7000
|