Dear Maria,
Of course I read your summaries in the Newsletter , and - yes - I am still a
member of the Society of Archivists, a bit late in paying my dues,  perhaps,
but I am even registered.
I did not mean to cast any aspersions on your contributions to the
Newsletter. What I meant was that if the editors thought that an item
appearing in this medium is worth a wider audience, it should be
reprinted/reproduced in a Society printed medium. So long as people aren't
expected to tidy it up and make it what it wasn't - a 'proper' article.
I also do not think that you ought to worry whether you are a 'bad'
archivist just because you ask apparently simple questions. I have been a
one-person band (is there such a thing?) for too long to know how important
communication with other professionals really are. We all meet problems that
do not readily have solutions. A 'bad' archivist is one who keeps their
solutions to themselves, and does not set out to help a fellow professional.
My own advice is that if you want to know something - ask. You'll be
surprised how many people will set out to help you. Perhaps it olght to be
part of pre-registration. How much effort do you make in self-education?
Yours Len
++++++++++++++++L.J. McDonald
46 Weaver Ave
Rainhill
PRESCOT, Merseyside
Phone: 0151-426 5273
Mobile: 07775 914796
e-mail: [log in to unmask]

----- Original Message -----
From: ELS Oldham Archives Service <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2000 2:42 PM
Subject: Newsletter and listserv


> I monitor the archive listservs and write an article about them each
> month in the newsletter.  Two other people do the same for records
> management and conservation.  I have to say that in recent months, this
> job has become increasingly difficult due to a lack of interesting
> topics being discussed, and those who request replies off-list certainly
> aren't helping.  No item appeared in the latest issue of the newsletter
> because there was simply nothing to write about!
>
> When I first started subscribing to the listerv about 18 months ago it
> seemed as if there were always plenty of things being discussed.  From
> chatting with other archivists, I increasingly get the impression that
> people are not asking questions any more for fear of being shot down in
> flames and appearing foolish.  Speaking as a 'lone archivist', there
> have been occasions when I have considered posting a request, only to
> decide not to because I fear that I should already know the answer and
> everyone else will think that I'm a bad archivist.  I am sure that there
> are others in a similar situation and it worries me that we are letting
> a potentially invaluable tool go to waste.
>
> Back to the newsletter - I must stress that my role is only to report on
> what has been discussed, and I do not feel that the article I write
> should become a platform for my own opinions.  What Jude Dicken was
> asking for was for someone to actually take a bit of a stance on a
> particular issue and perhaps stimulate interest beyond the listserv.  It
> is worth pointing out that, as far as I am aware, the articles I have
> written have prompted no response whatsoever.
>
> However, as some people seem to be completely unaware of my articles,
> this should come as no surprise (and I thought I was performing such a
> valuable service!).  Len - am I right in thinking that you are no longer
> a member of the Society, in which case you are excused, but the rest of
> you should be ashamed of yourselves.  Personally I read my Newsletter
> from cover to cover at least twice!
>
> With best wishes (and tongue firmly in cheek during the last paragraph
> in the firm belief that all archivists have got a sense of humour - how
> else do we all manage to accept such laughable salaries?),
>
> Maria Sienkiewicz
> Oldham Local Studies and Archives
>
>
>
> --
> This message is confidential.  It may also be legally privileged.  It is
intended solely for the stated addressee(s) and access to it by anyone else
is unauthorised.  If you have received this message in error, you must not
disclose, copy, circulate or in any other way use or rely on the information
contained in this message.  Such unauthorised use may be unlawful.  If you
have received this message in error, please delete it immediately and advise
us by return e-mail to the above address.
>
>



%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%