Greetings all...

Dare archivists call ourselves "a distinct society"? ;)

Suzanne Dubeau

"Henry, Paul" wrote:
>
> Karin,
>
> It's interesting that you compare being an archivist to the U.S.-Canada
> relationship. I would agree. In the same way we (as Canadians) describe
> ourselves as being "not American", I find myself describing archivists as
> "like librarians, only different".
>
> I question, however, whether it is an inferiority complex, or whether we are
> victims of our own inward focus. If archivists who work in public
> institutions are not in the public eye educating the public and dare I say
> evangelizing on the value of documentary memory, we will continue to be
> perceived as basement-dwelling trolls. In a recent discussion I had with a
> colleague on the subject of educational programming, we came to the
> realization that 5-year olds know a great deal about libraries -- process,
> function, and need. Can the same be said of Archives?
>
> Having said this, the fact that the recent Star Wars movie mentioned
> Archives, in fact, "if it isn't in the Archives, it doesn't exist", may
> indicate a growing public awareness of Archives. At a recent talk I gave to
> a seniors group, the first question I got was "what is the archives doing
> about email?" This is a positive sign that perhaps Archives and community
> memory may very well mean something to people other than archivists.
>
> Regards,
> Paul J. Henry
> Archivist (Community Records)
> City of Ottawa Archives
> c/o City of Ottawa, mail-code 19-49
> 111 Sussex Dr.  Ottawa ON  K1N 1J1
> tel. (613) 580-2424 x13181
> fax. (613) 580-2614