Hello List. As promised, I am summarizing responses to my initial questions about finding aids. I asked three basic questions: 1. Do repositories keep hard copies of their finding aids in the reading room, updating them when changes are necessary? 2. Do repositories keep duplicate electronic copies of online finding aids on servers other than their HTML server? 3. Do repositories keep electronic or hard copy collection correspondence records, or some hybrid of the two. Thirteen members of the archives and archivists listserv responded to these questions. The responses show that ten of thirteen repositories keep a set of hard copy finding aids in their reading room and update them with changes. Only one of these repositories cited the reason against keeping hard copies as updating the hard copies was too time consuming for the relatively low benefit provided. One large repository keeps two sets of hard copy back ups, one for the reading room and one in the processing area. Regarding duplicate electronic copies, the findings were almost universal. With the exception of two institutions which did not yet have finding aids online, every repository keeps (and updates) at least one back up file on a drive other than on the HTML server. Many repositories keep multiple copies. Finally, repositories primarily keep hard copy collection correspondence files. One repository used an electronic system, and three used a hybrid system combining electronic and paper files. Thanks to all who replied. I found this a very, very interesting set of questions. If you have more thoughts or comments, I'd be glad to discuss off list. Thanks, Amy Amy Cooper Special Collections Librarian Special Collections Department University of Iowa Libraries Iowa City, IA 52242-1420 Phone: 319-335-6433 e-mail: [log in to unmask] A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List! To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>