I don't doubt that this list fulfils a certain purpose and should be retained, but who could read the last week or so of discussion on LIS-CILIP without agreeing that there is a definite need for something better, some form of moderated discussion which doesn't lie largely dormant for days and weeks before erupting with endless tail-chasing rounds of oh-yes-he-did-oh-no-he-didn't arguments whenever threatened with closure? With the exception of a few contributions, most of this debate has been entirely dispensable and/or redundant, and tends rather to buttress CILIP's reasons for wanting to get rid of it than demolish them.

I find it a little ironic that there has been so much talk about this list having upwards of 1000 members when it seems as if it only takes a tiny handful of them to form a moral quorum; if the overwhelming majority of people on this list can't be bothered to participate in a debate even on its possible extinction, then I think that says a great deal about how useful and relevant the list is generally perceived to be by even its own members. And that's a shame, because even if/when the CoP become reality, there would still be a viable and distinct role for a non-exclusive, non-CILIP communication medium.

Thomas

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