Apart for any sentimentality,there are actually many clues in original
records that add to the value of the record itself. It depends in part on
how the records are used. Archival records, if properly appraised have uses
beyond the evidentiary ones obvious in the content. The type of paper used,
for example, is historical context and can provide dating authentication of
a manuscript. The type of hand script used gives us clues to the writer's
age, background and education, possibly county or country of origin and
class. The way paper ages can indicate something of the storage and respect
given the record, and how much use it has been given.
There are many contextual, subtle things about the original paper records
which will never come through in digital or digitized form. Apart from
observation of the original and annotating profusely, the original record is
still the most prolific source of this information. That is what primarily
interests archivists, but apart from that paper is also quicker to refer to
in many instances, if you know how to use it. Hardly romantic, but
efficient.
Elizabeth Fairfax, MA,CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Cunningham, Ray [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 11:17 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [RM] Format Fetish - was all that other stuff....
I find that many archivists are in the profession for that very reason -
they love the look, smell and feel of the original paper and hold fast to
some mystical belief that reading the original is superior to reading a
digital representation on a screen. Sure it takes the romance out of it.
I can handle and manage the digital much better than the analog paper.
I'll take the information please, straight up - hold the paper.
Raymond K. Cunningham, Jr. CRM, CA
Manager of Records Services
University of Illinois Foundation
Urbana IL 61801
-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Chris Browne
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 1:10 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [RM] Knowledge management [Was Re: [RM] RAINdrip: Wonder if
reading through 25 year old e-mails wil
From the perspective of a historian, this has been a great discussion. While
I would enjoy reading the text and a looking at a picture of a 700 year old
copy of the Magna Carta online, it would be a whole different 'sensory
experience' to see a copy in person in the British Library, and to be able
to feel it and smell it.
I liken it to another pastime of mine - as a baseball fan, I'll watch any
game I can find on cable, but going to a major league park and experiencing
the same game is entirely different from a sensory perspective. The
experience is enhanced by the anticipation of the event, the sights and
sounds, smells, history and proximity, etc. While I might enjoy an email
sent from my grandma, I might enjoy it that much more if I had the same text
handwritten on a piece of Garfield stationary, complete with motherly smells
and smiley faces.
It has been said here that paper and electronic media must coexist. I
totally agree, as each generally serves a clear purpose. One cannot replace
the other (at least not completely.)
Hope everyone had a safe Independence Day!
Chris Browne
**********************
Russell, I agree when they're trying to get the tactile/sensory point
across,for example in a novel, and are making a conscious effort to do so.
Not so with grandma's letters - you truly feel/sense the memories from
the handwriting, sensory environment that the letter was written. Just
went through the same exercise with some old stuff from my mother-in-law
and there was nothing about the conscious writing style that brought the
flood of memories . It was the touch,feel,smell of handling the material
and the personal handwriting.
Steve Petersen CRM
Records Manager
Rockwell Collins Inc
319.295.5244
List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance
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List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
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