Kind of ironic, isn't it, that TV programmes portraying research fall down
precisely because the programme makers haven't done just that..?
Is the Society looking at ways to tackle these issues? I, as a lowly
Registration Scheme candidate, certainly hope so. If we don't, then archives
will continue to be ignored - as the DCMS has shown us only too well this
week. Or, possibly even worse, a skewed view of research will be put across,
with unfair expectations being put on archivists by members of the public.
This is a golden opportunity to give the profession a much needed boost in
the eyes of the public. I for one hope that we're not going to waste it.
David Bishop
Archivist
Birmingham City Archive
Central Library
Chamberlain Square
Birmingham B3 3HQ
0121 303 4217
>From: "DAVIDSON, Karen" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: "DAVIDSON, Karen" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask] (archives-nra)
>Subject: re: archives and TV
>Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2000 12:20:00 +0000
>
>
>I would agree that the profession needs to provide TV companies with
>guidance on the content and presentation of their 'archive-based'
>programmes; I am particularly concerned by the implications given by the
>trailer for 'Blood Ties' that everyone has interesting/famous ancestors
>(though I haven't seen the actual programme, so I don't know if they
>continue to imply this)...given the likelihood that most families have
>more 'ordinary' ancestors, I foresee a large number of disappointed
>punters!
>
>My other bugbear is the irritating frequency with which the phrase 'dusty
>archives' is used in the media (see the BBC's 'History 2000' booklet for
>just one example), implying not only that we are an obscure cultural
>backwater, populated by eccentric recluses, but also that we can't be
>bothered to look after the records in our care. All the efforts we make
>to raise our profile are being knocked back down by the very publicity we
>are trying to attract, simply because journalists, researchers and the
>like are playing word-association games rather than taking the time to
>think of better ways of describing us.
>
>I think we need to help the BBC and all the others to do their homework!
>
>Karen Davidson
>Project Archivist
>Gloucestershire Record Office
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|