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The role of the archivist is surely to make the Archive available to its audience- be this internal to its organisation or wider- depending on its organisation and brief. In terms of an archive with a public access brief, it is an interesting question indeed as to whether an archive should, off its own bat, choose to promote material that informs a live public debate. It is also an interesting question as to whether an archive of a particular political bent should actively involve itself in live politics in this way. In terms of the role of the ‘live’ or ‘modern’ record keeper, I think our role is definitely to provide information to the best of our ability, and remit, when asked. Much of this, externally, happens for those organisations under the relevant legislation, via FOI. I think something that has been highlighted since the Referendum is not that information was not available per se, but rather that information integrity – or rather people’s abilities to judge it- was an issue- at least for quite a large number of voters. This is something, I would suggest, that has been growing a while and something that runs deep. I would also suggest that it is something that we, do, as a profession, need to look at assisting in addressing over time. From: Archivists, conservators and records managers. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angharad Gwilym Sent: 27 June 2016 19:42 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: EU referendum - a personal reflection I agree with Jane. As information professionals - or para-professionals, in my case - what is our role in situations like these? Many people have expressed a sense of being misinformed or ill-informed in the weeks leading up to the referendum. Should recordkeepers have a more active role in providing and possibly even promoting informational resources to the public? Could we do that without compromising our neutrality/impartiality (such as it is), and in an accessible and non-elitist way? I am interested in what others with more experience have to say! Angharad Gwilym On 27 Jun 2016 16:56, "jane pudsey" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: however what is a valid and ongoing debate, regardless of our feelings, is what are the challenges and opportunities this will present to our professions , and how get the best from them. Yes, some of us will be excited and some of us profoundly shocked, but what we all have in common that we will need to engage with the new reality - and the sooner this community does so, the more hope of shaping it. Jane Pudsey ________________________________________ From: Archivists, conservators and records managers. [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] on behalf of Smith,Mark (Health & Communities) [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] Sent: 27 June 2016 09:28 To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: EU referendum - a personal reflection Well put. It's been pointed out to me that this isn't the right forum for politicking - by Monday morning, my response on Friday looks embarrassingly like that, so I hereby withdraw it and shall desist. Mark -----Original Message----- From: Archivists, conservators and records managers. [mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] On Behalf Of Pam Cranston Sent: 24 June 2016 18:06 To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: EU referendum - a personal reflection Yes. Decorum please. Sent from my iPhone > On 24 Jun 2016, at 17:22, Robert Smith <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: > > All I would like to add to this is that I think a period of reflection would be in order for supporters of the EU, who might like to think seriously about why they lost. The only sneering I have heard has been from the pro-EU side, against the old, the poor, and the "uneducated", by people who in some cases might not actually be so expert as they like to think. My personal reflection on the failure of the Remain campaign to bully, browbeat, guilt-trip and intimidate the public into voting for their consensus is that it speaks rather well of the public's resilience, common sense and decency - and of the wisdom of crowds, contra elite opinion. > > Wringing your hands about the "failure" of the public's education won't save a consensus that seems never to have really existed, its absence disguised by the unrepresentative nature of our system of government. Education is not measurable only by whether or not you went to Eton-and-Oxbridge, the number of years you spent in formal schooling (which is in any case not comparable from one generation to the next) or the number of letters you have after your name, and even the best-educated person may gain much from long experience. I suggest that all archivists who work with the general public - many of whom may well be from the older demographic which broke for Leave - try to remember that, and behave with humility. > > Contact the list owner for assistance at > [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> > > For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during > a holiday) see the list website at > https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra This email or email thread section has been classified CONTROLLED - This email requires controlled access by Council personnel and / or intended recipient(s) only. This email may contain business or personal information. Think before you print! Save energy and paper. 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