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Re: In Search of the Humourous Archivist



I've also thought about this phenomenon over the years as I think have many
others (thanks for bringing it out for all of us to consider)...  Some of
the funniest and fun-loving professionals I've known are archivists but we
don't seem to apply it to our profession.  Maybe our century-long struggle
for professional recognition makes us sensitive to self-mocking humor
(unlike physicians or lawyers who for centuries have reveled in their own
stability).  We have to appear serious to be taken serious?  And since ink
is our life's blood, words and language seem to play a big part in our
humor, hence we tend to be an extremely pun-ish breed...and shelfish, too!

f. michael Angelo
library director
independence seaport museum
211 s. columbus blvd.
philadelphia, pa  19106


-----Original Message-----
From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU]On
Behalf Of infotegrity
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 10:26 PM
To: ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
Subject: In Search of the Humourous Archivist


Why is it that so little archival humour has surfaced?  Why does an Internet
search for items related to this topic produce?.nothing.  Why are there no
archivist stand-up comics?  And, perhaps the most galling question, why do
others with far less interesting professions attract all the funny stories,
amusing anecdotes, terrible puns and ribald limericks?

Is the lack of archival humour a compliment to the profession or is it a
serious case of neglect?

I?m convinced it is the latter and I would like to do my part to correct
this terrible wrong.

In my many years in a public archive, I worked with colleagues who had a
great sense of humour.  They needed it to deal with both the professional
challenges of their work as well as with the questions, quibbles and quirks
of researchers and donors.  While patience has always been an important
qualification for an archivist, a good sense of humour must surely be close
behind.

Ian Wilson, the National Archivist of Canada and a former colleague, has
used a small repertoire of humourous anecdotes in most of his public
speaking.  He has often remarked that it is easier to find new audiences
than to find new archival jokes.

An example:  Ian married a woman who is also an archivist.  At their
wedding, a friend remarked that a marriage of two archivists was perfect
because, as they grew older, they would become more and more interested in
each other.

I would like to invite your assistance in defining and expanding the body of
archival humour.  The purpose?  To form the basis for a paper, presentation,
Web site or other means of disseminating collected and new material.  The
reward?  Your contribution to changing the public image of archivists and
archives, as well as the prospect of future amusement.

Responses can cover the range of humourous forms, such as:
-       stories and anecdotes
-       jokes
-       puns
-       definitions
-       signs and notices
-       aphorisms, epigrams, similes and metaphors
-       limericks and other humourous verse
-       satires
-       parodies
-       put-downs and come-backs

They can relate to any aspect of archiving, archivists and archival
institutions, such as:

-       the nature of the profession and archival stereotypes
-       relations between archivists, records managers and other professions
-       dealings with researchers
-       dealings with donors and sponsors
-       archival selection, appraisal, organization, description,
preservation,
storage, etc.
-       archivists and technology
-       archival collections in all media
-       workplace humour
-       historical events and individuals in archival records
-       archival language and terminology
-       archival services and publications
-       news reporting about archives and archivists

Some ?rules?:  Offerings may be about real experiences, people, locations,
etc. or they may be fanciful fabrications.  Personally identifiable
information about another individual should generally be avoided or have the
permission of that person for distribution.  Information about the origin of
the material should be provided, if known.  No copyright or other legal
rights should be infringed.  All submissions sent directly to me will be
acknowledged, but use or publication is not assured.

Please send any material to me directly at Infotegrity@home.com .  Responses
received before September 15 would be especially appreciated.  Comments and
suggestions of any kind regarding this project are also welcome.  Please
excuse cross postings.

Thank you.

Andy Lipchak


About myself?..

Until I took early retirement, I was the Manager of Corporate Information
Policy at the Archives of Ontario (Toronto, Canada).  I was responsible for
a variety of archival policy development activities and for recorded
information management standards and processes for the Government of
Ontario.  I have spoken at conferences, workshops and other events related
to archives, record keeping, information management and information
technology.  I collaborated with Ian E. Wilson on several occasions (e.g.,
?You Must Remember This,? at http://www.iog.ca/publications/pub-ict.html).
After leaving the Archives of Ontario, I established Infotegrity Consulting
to advise public and private sector bodies on information management,
knowledge management, archival programs and related technology issues.

Andy Lipchak
E-mail:  Infotegrity@home.com
Mailing address:  15 Brookfield Road, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada, M2P 1B1

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