An archival colleague of mine and I were just discussing this issue, and
how it has played out in the archival profession over the past 10 years.
Similar issues were raised, with some professionals dismissing the role
of research, and others promoting it. This colleague thinks that the
contribution of academic research overall has been important, but noted
that the pendulum tends to swing back and forth - currently the sense is
that things are getting perhaps too academic, but one can expect the
pendulum to go the other way as well as there is a continuing dynamic
tension between theory and practice.

What we both agreed on was the critical importance of this in nurturing
young talent, and in sustaining and ultimately improving a body of
knowledge and a profession, which is what brought me to this topic
initially. We also talked about incremental approaches that are low
cost, that plant seeds, and that develop initiatives, such as
consortiums, volunteer student support, and other efforts. This
colleague did mention some contacts, Luciana and Pat, of people trying
to put together a journal related to western regional archives that
might be helpful, which I will pass on when I get them. No, it is not
easy (they are still trying), but this colleague thought the contacts
might be helpful, as they have been exploring a number of incremental
options such as consortiums, use of student labor for support, etc..
Longer term, I would be happy to explore Multnomah County's
participation in such a consortium, if that comes to pass. 

I don't really think ARMA is the issue. I understand the reaction of
those who think it is. If you take ARMA out of the equation, I really
don't understand why this is a problem. Am I missing something?

Dwight Wallis, CRM
Records Administrator
Multnomah County Fleet, Records, Electronics, Distribution and Stores
(FREDS)
1620 S.E. 190th Avenue
Portland, OR 97233
Phone: (503)988-3741
Fax: (503)988-3754
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