I've been following the thread with interest as well, but I think this
particular aspect of the job (archivist, in my case) is what really
struck a chord with me.
I'm not doing anything fancy with audio tape here, but technology, and
knowing how to use it, is definitely a major part of what I do, from
teaching volunteers and coworkers how to use the scanner and assorted
scanning programs, to updating our website, and to (attempting) to
manage digital aspects of projects. And knowing how networks work,
that's been useful, too.
Though there are days when I want to make a sign that reads "I Am NOT
the IT Department"! :)
Jennifer McGillan
Archivist
Jewish Historical Society of MetroWest
901 Route 10 East
Whippany, NJ 07981
(973) 929-2995
-----Original Message-----
From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Richard L. Hess
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 5:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Librarian and Archivist as technologist
This has been an interesting thread, but as I talk to archivists,
conservators, and librarians I find that, in general, the technology
that is being imposed on all of us is a challenge overall.
My specialty is audio tape, specifically analog audio tape, and I
transfer it to digital files. The media archive today contains a
plethora of analog and digital formats for audio and video -- in
addition to film both still and moving image, and many of these
formats are rapidly becoming obsolete, and the carriers are aging,
not to mention the machines!
It is quite a challenge--and the new world order of everything as
files also challenges the traditional view of archivists and librarians.
My approach is that we all have different skill sets and look at the
same problems in different ways and we all need each other. There are
some huge challenges out there and the team approach to solving them
usually results in a better solution than the insular approach.
To counter the common joke, a camel is a fine "horse" if you're
travelling in the desert <smile>. It is purpose-built for desert
travel...and I think we'd all be cranky if we travelled for long
periods in the desert!
Cheers,
Richard
Richard L. Hess email: [log in to unmask]
Aurora, Ontario, Canada (905) 713 6733 1-877-TAPE-FIX
Detailed contact information:
http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.
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