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Re: strange reference questions



Here's a thought:

The fact that all these researchers with their strange, poorly-thought out,
off-the-wall questions would contact an archives in the first place means
that either we need to have a little chat with the people working our
switchboards or that at some level the general population have it in their
heads that Archivists Have Answers.

I don't mean the educated, research-savvy types who could be expected to
know about Archives and with whom we deal every day (and who wouldn't
normally wander in asking about 18th century colour photos or whatever) I
mean the kinds of Joe Anybodies who haven't got a clue where to even start
looking but apparently think that someone at the Archives will know.

Which if so says something quite good about our profession and the kind of
people in it.


Jeff "no question too foolish" O'Brien
Answering the archival telephone since 1995



-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Beamer [mailto:omachegirl@YAHOO.COM]
Sent: Wednesay, July 10, 2002 11:59 AM
To: ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
Subject: Re: strange reference questions


My latest odd requests number two.  The first was a
woman who asked about how to get the father of her
severely disabled child parolled from another state's
instition to her area.  She didn't say where her area
was.  I informed her that we only hold local
government records and suggested she contact the
institution he was at, or the man's attorney.  The
second, someone wanted to know how long a current
inmate's sentance was in the local county jail.  He
was to be transferred to a federal institution and
they needed to know for a friend's protection.  I
suggested she contact the jail, etc.

[...]

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