[Dialogue] Values for the Archives | creating a prototypedatabase

[Dave Thomas]

I gave T-papers and many books to John Cock several years ago.  But I still
have 8 file boxes full of EI/ICA documents and many wall posters that I
would like to give away.  Perhaps to someone in the Seattle area, or
elsewhere if the recipient would pay for shipping.  I can provide a chart of
the contents.  Dave Thomas

 

  _____  

From: dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
[mailto:dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of David Dunn
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 9:15 AM
To: Colleague Dialogue; Order Ecumenical Community
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Values for the Archives | creating a
prototypedatabase

 

On May 19, 2009, at 6:50 PM, Marilyn R Crocker wrote:





We are wondering, is there a way we (collectively) might be able to identify
and fill gaps in the official archives with the gifts of items from our
dispersed family archives?  Otherwise we're thinking the whole lot may get
chucked given the "down-sizing" time of life we are all entering, or "the
dumpster strategy" that our kids would likely choose if they were the ones
left "holding the files."

 

Hello Marilyn and other colleagues.

 

Walt Epley and I have been custodians of the Paul Evans personal archive
that Gini Natali passed on to me for temporary care until the Global
Archives is ready to receive it. We've begun by cataloging Paul's audio
recording collection and researching what is involved in digitizing the
audio cassettes. The tool we're using is a Filemaker Pro database that we
expect to have online by the end of this week. (See the attached
'screenshots.')

 

Though we began experimenting with this prototype before Bill Parker's
values email arrived, our experiment is in some sense an attempt to further
the discussion about his three values: preservation, accessibility, and
flexibility. 

 

As it stands, the structure of this prototype database is more like a
"participatory archive processing management" tool that addresses the
question Marilyn raises. We see it as a way to engage a dispersed network in
the exercise of visualizing and growing the Global Archive.

 

We began building a prototype with several principles in mind: 

 

1) accommodate the data in the present Global Archive catalog in Marge's
care

2) access with a web browser over the Internet with an evolving structure
and functions

3) colleagues can catalog their personal archives

4) colleagues can identify their priorities for processing and interpreting
particular categories of materials

5) colleagues can specify particular materials they are seeking for current
use

6) colleagues can indicate the arenas of our common memory in which they
have "subject area" expertise or interest (dispersed archive "curatorial
teams")

7) colleagues can link contemporary institutional or programmatic examples
of their use and impact (ToP, Training Inc, etc., etc.) with arenas of our
common memory

8) colleagues processing the Global Archive collection in Chicago can update
the online catalog and track their activities in real time

9) ICA staff can track the amount of volunteer time invested in work related
to the Global Archives

10) URL links to each of the items that are available in the Repository

11) an online database visible to the public that can only be added to or
changed by users with access credentials (secure login and specific usage
privileges)

 

When we get the database online, we'll let you know where to find it and how
to try it out so that you can give us feedback.

 

David

 

---

David Dunn

dmdunn1 at gmail.com

 

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