Where is the relevance?: weblogs, RSS, and archivists
January 19th, 2004
For some time, I have thought that there were not archives and special collections weblogs because archivists and special collections librarians, simply, were not interested in the format. But, now, I am re-thinking this idea.
In an effort to be better informed, I subscribed to the Archives and Archivists listserv over the weekend. For years, I used to be a subscriber, but the sad fact about lists is that listserv messages quickly become additional items vying for time and attention in an already crowded in-box.
When I originally subscribed to this list years ago, I had never heard of RSS, aggregators, or weblogs. So, returning to the list this weekend, I had a new perspective. What struck me was that much of what I saw posted could easily and more effectively be posted on a weblog. In fact, it can be argued that archivists already know how to write weblogs; they just have not been given (or convinced to use) the technology.
RAIN (Records/Archives in the News) is an excellent weekly roundup of news stories involving records management and archives. Peter Kurilecz, a Virginia-based certified records manager and archivist, gathers links for stories relevant to archivists, records managers, and curators and posts the links with excerpts to the Archives and Archivists listserv each week. It is an incredible resource, but, as a digest-format subscriber, I used to dread RAIN posts. Now, however, I see all sorts of potential. Imagine a RAIN weblog with RSS–a bookmarkable URL, archives and records management news in a subscriber’s news aggregator instead of lost in his/her e-mail inbox, an easily searchable archive of posts, permalinks, and much more.
But, what does it take to make this happen (excluding creating the weblog myself)? Librarians, in general, it seems, are adopting RSS and weblog technology, slowly but surely. Yet, I would argue that many of the weblog workshops for librarians are “preaching to the choir” of tech and reference librarians. There is little in either the titles of these workshops or the methods of advertising them to convince archivists and special collections librarians that these workshops are useful or relevant for their field.
Is anyone conducting workshops especially for archivists? Is anyone working with archivist groups and associations on this? Is anyone interested in this at all?
[Updated 1.30.04: corrected Peter Kurilecz's title. Also, see my lengthy response in the comments section]
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1. Dennis Moser | January 22nd, 2004 at 5:51 pm
As a fellow traveler, I resemble that remark. One of my first thoughts when I started reading PeterK’s RAIN, was “This man needs a copy of Frontier…” and later it changed to “This man needs Manila!” Lately it’s been “Peter needs Radio with RSS!”
So where do we start? Part of the problem is clearly so few archivists are keeping weblogs…you make the third, counting myself and another I know.
2. Peter Kurilecz | January 26th, 2004 at 9:26 am
Well I would love to learn the technology to make the compilation easier. and yes I’ve considered doing a weblog. so where do I start
oh I’m a records manager first then an archivist. I’m also a certified records manager
pak
3. Dr. Klaus Graf | January 29th, 2004 at 5:23 pm
May I mention my ARCHIVALIA again
http://archiv.twoday.net
Founded in February 2003 it is the first weblog on archival topics in more than one language. Although mainly in German (updated frequently) there are some entries in English each month.
Topics are archivistic news including medieval history, Open Access and weblog news.
Please feel free to visit the category English Corner in the English Language
http://archiv.twoday.net/topics/English+Corner/
ARCHIVALIA’s complete RSS feed:
http://archiv.twoday.net/rss
More interesting for the English audience - sorry for the emphasis:
THE RSS FEED OF THE TOPIC ENGLISH CORNER CAN BE READ SEPARATELY!
http://archiv.twoday.net/topics/English+Corner/rss
–
After a lot of indecent advertising let me say that I would VERY appreciate if I could read RAIN in a weblog (with RSS feed).
4. Dr. Klaus Graf | January 29th, 2004 at 5:24 pm
May I mention my ARCHIVALIA again
http://archiv.twoday.net
Founded in February 2003 it is the first weblog on archival topics in more than one language. Although mainly in German (updated frequently) there are some entries in English each month.
Topics are archivistic news including medieval history, Open Access and weblog news.
Please feel free to visit the category English Corner in the English Language
http://archiv.twoday.net/topics/English+Corner/
ARCHIVALIA’s complete RSS feed:
http://archiv.twoday.net/rss
More interesting for the English audience - sorry for the emphasis:
THE RSS FEED OF THE TOPIC ENGLISH CORNER CAN BE READ SEPARATELY!
http://archiv.twoday.net/topics/English+Corner/rss
–
After a lot of indecent advertising let me say that I would VERY appreciate if I could read RAIN in a weblog (with RSS feed).
5. Dr. Klaus Graf | January 29th, 2004 at 5:27 pm
Apologies for the duplicate!
6. Vernica | January 30th, 2004 at 4:08 am
Wow…I was not expecting this post to be quite as popular as it has been. I may actually be too overwhelmed to comment, but I will try.
First, let me say that there are several really wonderful weblogs being maintained by archivists right now. I had considered listing them in my original post, but I was afraid that I would neglect to mention someone. So, thank you, Dennis and Klaus for mentioning your work, and if anyone else would like to jump in, please feel free.
Second, I would like to acknowledge the difficult and important work that many librarians have done in teaching workshops on RSS and weblogs and spreading the word about this technology and publishing medium. I sounded critical of that work in my post when really I admire those who have made the effort; I definitely cannot say the same for myself.
That being said, I am still left with the main question posed in my post: how do we encourage all of the talented and knowledgeable archivists, rare book librarians, etc. in our field to experiment with weblogs? Is it enough to teach by example (i.e., start our own weblogs and introduce our colleagues to weblogs through our own work)? Should we hold workshops and training sessions directed toward people in our field? Should articles be written for relevant publications? Are there other ways to spread the news (no pun intended)?
I am happy to serve as a resource for Peter or anyone else who would like to get started, but I must admit that I am a newcomer to this. I can say that as someone who is competent but not savvy with technology, I find that the technical aspects are easy to learn once decisions about hosting, etc. have been made. It is the content that is the real challenge, and anyone who can compile a regular list of links such as RAIN has that part covered.
7. Dr. Klaus Graf | January 30th, 2004 at 11:38 am
Dear Vernica,
thank you for your statement. What’s about collecting the known archivist’s weblogs and putting them in a separate category of your blogroll (with RSS feeds if existent)? I have not found a weblog by Dennis Moser via Google, but would like to add Daviod Mattison’s “Ten Thousand Year Blog” I like as the most “archivistic” weblog.
http://www.davidmattison.ca/wordpress/
Greetings from Germany
Klaus
8. Clay Templeton | March 2nd, 2004 at 11:32 pm
Hello, I just happened upon this site while doing research for what I envision as a blog dedicated to news of relevance to the professional archival community. What brought me here was, in fact, a desire for more information about Peter’s RAIN service. I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to approach this excellent resource in terms particularly of what detail to link in and where to link to. I think an RSS feed for that resource sounds like a great idea. I would be willing to collaborate on such a project. I’m still figuring out the issues around RSS myself, but I am quite comfortable with computers (in fact I have a b.s. in computer science) so I don’t anticipate any big problems.
I’m looking forward to checking out the other weblog projects mentioned in this discussion.
Clay Templeton
MLS student, concentration in archives
University of Maryland
Technical Information Specialist/ Programmer
Homer Newell Library
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt MD
9. Ana Munandar | May 24th, 2004 at 5:48 pm
Does anyone know of any weblogs covering the Encoded Archival Description (EAD)?
Thank you.