It’s me again, sorry … the more I think about
this database, the more I feel that it throws up some really interesting issues,
quite apart from the pricing. Janine suggested to us that the database would be
grown by architectural practices, who would be encouraged to contribute content.
While this is a nice and trendy idea, I’d be intrigued to know how much
editorial control will be exercised in order to prevent the whole thing from degenerating
into a glorified AJ-branded Flickr site. I got the impression at our meeting that
the database is being driven forward pretty much by one person at the AJ; if
this is still the case, will they have the time to ensure that only worthwhile projects
are uploaded, let alone grapple with metadata quality, consistency and
accuracy? It would also be good to get some reassurance that the database isn’t
going to be bloated out with endless examples of ghastly, second-rate PFI
school and hospital projects, because I feel that we should be inspiring our students
with the really good stuff. On the other hand, I don’t want to want to
see a database stuffed with ‘starchitecture’, either.
I think it is legitimate for us to raise these issues
because the AJ has such a good reputation, and I’m sure that those of us
who do purchase this database will find that students are just going to plunge
in and make heavy use of it, possibly at the expense of other resources which
we might prefer them to consider alongside it. To some extent, our own
professional reputations are on the line here as well – when we subscribe
to a database and market it to our users, we’re kind of saying that it
comes with our seal of approval.
I’m not picking on Janine or the AJ here, because this
could be happening with any of the architectural magazines, they’re just
one of the first to try this model. But I think they’re going about it
the wrong way, and maybe we can gently help them with some of the issues that
they’ve not considered properly, so that we can all end up with a
excellent, sensibly-priced new resource.
Or perhaps I’m fussing about nothing, and just need a
holiday J
David
David Buri
Academic Liaison Librarian
Glasgow School of Art
167 Renfrew Street
Glasgow G3 6RQ
Scotland
Tel: 0141 353 4701
Email: [log in to unmask]