> ----------
> From: infotegrity[SMTP:infotegrity@HOME.COM]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 8:26 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