[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: NATIONAL ARCHIVES RELEASES RESEARCHER TOPICS LIST



I concur with Ms. Gibson's concerns regarding the ethics of the Archives
release of these data.  In many cases, I sign a letter of confidentiality
with clients (especially national media) that would be breached by any
disclosure by the Archives of a list of topics.  Of course, when I register,
I usually use a broad topic like "19th history," rather than anything giving
a hint of the actual topic.  But that doesn't help the institution in
maintaining the statistics that will support the development of the very
collections we wish to consult.

At the Library of Congress, there are registration desks where one must sign
in and give the subject of research.  This is visible to anyone walking in
after you. Thus I avoid giving the precise information, which, again, is
exactly the sort of use-statistics that LC and NARA need.  

Second, it is one thing to collect the information for internal use only.  It
is quite another to broadcast it or make it publicly available.  Who
authorized the release of this information?

Margaret Shannon
Senior Research Historian
Washington Historical Research