I agree that when it comes to specifics like publishing catalogues on line
then we need to be very careful.  The questionnaire does not ask for this.
If and when this question arises then that will be the time to raise these
very real problems, and seek solutions; they say in their covering letter
that they will later "approach potential partners for discussions on matters
such as ways of co-operation, technical challenges and legal issues".
The questionnaire that we had does not ask about material in private hands,
and does not ask for any details which could compromise any holder of the
material.  The form explicitly avoids comprehensiveness;  it says a partial
answer is better than none.  So don't answer the questions you don't like.
I agree that we should be careful, but what they are asking about at the
moment is no secret, and has little point if it is secret.
If we are seen to be obstructive and secretive then this will only give more
ammunition to any attempt to use coercion.  Why don't we tell them what we
want them, and the world, to know?  And no more. Most of it is on our
websites anyway. Since most of us wish to get mining history valued and
conserved, we can hardly complain too much when at last a government body,
perhaps with resources, apparently tries to do something about it.  If we
don't stand up and get counted then there may be a danger of being bypassed.
We won't stop them making their list, and it will be a shame if significant
organisations aren't on it.  Because if they make a list and publish it, the
world will read it and cite it, for a long time to come.
Motives are always murky.  Give a dog a bad name... but why not try it on a
very short piece of rope?
Mike Worsfold
Shropshire Mines Trust


-----Original Message-----
From: Sallie Bassham [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 18 March 2003 21:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: The Coal Authority - Access to Britain's Mining Heritage


> Shropshire Mines Trust have received the questionnaire.  It did not
ask
> about individual holdings.  What is the problem?  What have we to
hide?
> Mike Worsfold

I am librarian for Northern Mine Research Society and I am going to
ask at the AGM that we do not complete the questionnaire.  The Coal
Authority want to make information (including electronic catalogues)
available to the public, via a website.  Like everyone else, I get
queries which I try to answer appropriately; but I do not have the
security to cope with such enquirers visiting the library in person.
I guess that many Mining Trusts/Societies have libraries and archive
material available to members, and from which other queries are
answered.  At the moment, if someone visits the library and I do not
know them personally I can ask to see a membership card and this
provides some sort of reassurance.  I don't think Trusts and Societies
have anything to hide (I have always found people generous to me when
I ask for help); but we need to be responsible about the material
which others have entrusted to us.

Sallie Bassham
NMRS Librarian