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Could I just add my mite to what Bruce is saying? Appraisal is probably the most important of all an archives' functions and should only be undertaken by experienced professionals...it's the appraisal process, after all, which decides once and for all what the historians of the future are going to use and interpret. Clare Cowling RCOG and IALS Archivist -----Original Message----- From: Jackson, Bruce [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 23 October 2001 10:37 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Volunteer Reveiwer Further to Caroline Catford's posting to the list about volunteers to review records, I am tempted to raise the question as to whether this is appropriate work for what is in effect unskilled. inexperienced labour? This is not meant as a criticism of Caroline and other peole who find themselves in this situation, but really relates to the importance we attach to this type of work. For many years there has been a realisation that specialist skills are required in many aspects of archive work, such as cataloguing, conservatiuon etc, but surely the most difficult skill of all to acquire is the sound ability to determine whether or not the record should be preserved as being of genuine historical value ( and whether it is worth spending all this expensive expertise on cataloguing, storing, making available etc). When I started working as an archivist ( already trained), we learned by going out on the job with a very experienced archivist as it was felt that there was no way we could be left to undertake this most difficult exercise without "hand-holding". I still feel the benefits of this 25 years on! Bruce Jackson Lancashire Record Office 23 October 2001 -----Original Message----- From: Caroline Catford [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 23 October 2001 09:07 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Volunteer Reveiwer I wonder if any of you 'out there' can help with this one. At Hampton Court Palace where I work we are in a virtual no spend situtaion due to various economic factors which I am sure I do not need to spell out. I acquired from Hayes 2900 ex Property Services Agency files relating to the past 50 years at Historic Royal Palaces. These files now need to be reveiwed in order for us to decide whether they should be kept permanently or whether they can be destroyed. This would be an ideal job for someone who would liek to have some work experience put on their CV in this area. A foot in the door.. Unfortunately we can only pay volunteers expenses on this one which is basically a lunch allowance and travel expenses. Any of you know of someone who might be interested in this field of work or know of a course that might do secondments in this area. Thanking you all in hopeful anticipation. Caroline Catford Departmental Records Officer Historic Royal Palaces This email is confidential and intended exclusively for the use of the intended recipient(s). Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Historic Royal Palaces or Historic Royal Palaces Enterprises Ltd. If you are not the intended recipient(s) please note that any form of distribution, copying or use of this email or the information in it is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender and then delete the message and any attachments from your system. This message has been checked before being sent for all known viruses by Sophos AntiVirus software. However please note that no responsibility for viruses is taken and it is your responsibility to scan this message and any attachments. Historic Royal Palaces and Historic Royal Palaces Enterprise Limited reserve the right to monitor e-mails in accordance with the Telecommunications (Lawful Business Practice) (Interception of Communications) Regulations 2000. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Historic Royal Palaces is a registered charity (No 1068852), correspondence details, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AU Historic Royal Palaces Enterprises Ltd, a company registered in England (No 3418583) registered office Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AU