> On Jun 16, 2017, at 12:38 AM, Rod Smallwood via cctalk
> <cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
> That's the whole point scanning _will_ preserve the archive because it won't
> need to be handled.
> They didn't even bother too make back up Xerox copies. You seem to imply they
> are professional.
> No backup, 50cents a copy, obstruction of access and rejection of help. If
> this is Califonia
Rod, you need to do some attitude adjustment. Hostility in response to a
reasoned explanation of museum professional standards is uncalled for.
Especially since you seem to be ignorant of how professional museums operate.
If you sauntered into the British Museum saying "hey, I'm here to help you"
what do you think the reaction would be? If they say "no thank you" would you
accuse them of obstruction and unprofessionality?
As for "won't need to be handled" how do you think scans, or photocopies, are
made? Of course, by handling the document. If it's a book or similarly bound
document, you can't just put it on a standard scanner or copier, because of the
binding. You can put it into a specialized book scanner, but that still
affects the document, though less so. And it takes time, lots of time.
There are a number of steps to be taken with any museum asset. Preservation
first. Then cataloguing. Then and only then can you consider operations like
scanning. Given the funding available, it's clear they did step one and a
substantial piece of step two, but they don't currently have time or money to
do step 3. So? Keep in mind that a lot of the rest of their collection hasn't
even reached step 2 yet.
paul
