Message-ID: <001701cad802$db66c4c0$0401a8c0@Jensen> From: "Don Jensen" <dnjkenosha@wi.rr.com> Subject: Re: Excellent Dialogue!!! Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2010 11:36:51 -0500
Sara Steele makes a very good point that all institutions need to
ponder.
Historical archives have two missions: to preserve and to educate.
When I first began on the board of our historical society it had an all
volunteer
part-time staff, a small group of aging men and women who had given
decades fo loyal,
dedicated service at a time when most of the community ignored their
efforts.
They saw their mission as collecting history and preserving it. They
watched over
the collections and archives with eagle eyes. It was almost impossible
for
an "outsider" (anyone other than their small group) to use the material.
THeir concern was the
this material that they had preserved would be damaged or stolen if
others had access to it.
Of course, they had a point. They were the guardians of these
treasures. But, as our institution evolved and we acquired
museum-trained professional staff, the board came to understand
that it was possible to preserve and also to share the information to
help educate the community about its history. There are ways to utilize
while safeguarding. Sensible rules and procedures
can be established.
This discussion, indeed, has suggested that society boards do need to
discuss the
subject and work out equitable plans that balance the preservation and
utilization issues.
don