[Personal_archives] SISPA dialogues update and looking forward

[Hobbs, Catherine]

Good afternoon,

In keeping with previous suggestions, I am busy arrange a SISPA listserv dialogue concerning the Paradigm Project in the U.K. (See: http://www.paradigm.ac.uk/) for late Fall (most likely the week of Nov. 16th). This would be the second dialogue relating to personal digital archives but seems to be a very useful topic to pursue, considering the bredth of this initiative and the concrete approach of the pilot project.  

>From what I hear, the substance and overall format of the dialogues is very useful to SISPA members (and others who travel with us).  The initiative appears to be very successful at stimulating dialogue and getting everyone thinking--of course, this is its main objective.  It's great to know that SISPA members find this useful!  Wonderful!

Looking forward, then...
What are your suggestions for future dialogue topics?  Whom would you like to see as a listserv guest? 

In addition, I've received some useful feedback this summer about the scheduling of the dialogues and would like to hear your input:  

There has been concern about the timing of the dialogues for those archivists (and guests) who are tied to the academic year.   Please tell me, what is the ideal timing from your point of view?  It seems that we're working between the academic year and March-end fiscal years for many repositories (and crunches for appraisal and CCPERB which come at that time).  I fear if the dialogues are too early in the academic year, archivists and guests might find that they are not yet into the swing of things or don't feel that things have settled down enough for the dialogues and we won't be able to attract students at all.  At other times, we run the risk of hitting mid-term or final exams.  Feel free to suggest very specific weeks which might be good for you.  I can't promise that these work out but I'll have something concrete to work from.  

It has also been suggested that we extend the period of dialogue to more than a week.  I have to say, upon reflection, I am hesitant to do this.  It may be too much to ask of the guests.  After all, most of them participate during their own work schedule.  At the moment we have had no trouble engaging guests and the dialogue seems spontaneous. We may have less success if we require more of them.   If we manage to work out the proper scheduling, we may enable those of you to participate who missed out in the past.  However, you may not agree with this assessment.

Please share your ideas on topics and timing with the list, or send them to myself or Heather Dean (SISPA Secretary).

Catherine Hobbs,
(SISPA Chair)

Archivist, Literary Archives (English-language) / Archiviste, Archives littéraires de langue anglaise
Documentary Heritage Collection Sector / Secteur de la collection du patrimoine documentaire 
Library and Archives Canada / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada 
Place de la Cité, Room / Piece 598, 
550, boul. de la Cité, Gatineau (QC), K1A 0N4
catherine.hobbs at lac-bac.gc.ca
Téléphone /Telephone 819-934-8331
Télécopieur / Facsimile 819-934-8333

Gouvernement du Canada / Government of Canada  www.collectionscanada.gc.ca