I read with a great deal of interest the post on Archives Found about blogging archivists because I had asked a similar question (although not as eloquently) a few months back. I also wondered about the lack of archivists actively using Twitter, Facebook or any other social networking media to stay connected. I assume this lack of activity is probably because archivists are used to maintaining records and not creating them. Furthermore, archivists tend to deal with the “old” rather than the ”new.” Blogging and social networking are new and using them would possibly force people out of their comfort zones. I am making a lot of assumptions here but I haven’t seen anything to the contrary. If I’m wrong, please tell me why.
Like Archives Next, I’ve noticed the abundance of librarians who are tearing up the blogosphere and creating a new pedagogy for library instruction. And, after some digging, I’ve found some archivists who are also paving the way for new archivists by sharing project information, helpful suggestions, etc. The problem is that these blogs are not getting the same publicity as library blogs. Archivists have to be more proactive in their marketing:
- Advertise your blog on twitter, facebook, friendfeed and the like
- Add your url to your signature on your email
- Comment on other archivist blogs and leave a link
- Share your problems and the solutions, talk about project ideas and post pictures of your archives
I’ve said before that I work at a small university where I don’t have the opportunity to attend a lot of workshops and conferences, so I rely heavily on blogs and tweets to keep current and learn more about my profession. I rely on the expertise of those who have been working in the field for longer than I have, but I also like being able to commiserate with those who are new to the field.
I know there are professional journals out there that offer the same professional support that I’m talking about but I like the instant gratification that comes from blogging and social networking. And I believe that we, as a profession, need to move forward by granting blogs and other web 2.0 technologies professional legitimacy.
July 17, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Great post. I agree 100%. It has been a great help to hear what other Archivists are doing and to have the comment on what I’m doing. I’ve gotten some very helpful suggestions.
http://lcb48.wordpress.com
July 17, 2008 at 12:40 PM
@Linda Clark Benedict Than you. You don’t know how much I’ve enjoyed watching the changes that have taken place in your archives. Seeing the pictures and reading how you’re transitioning has been incredibly helpful. Now when/if we ever get to that point, I know there’s a reference source out there.
July 18, 2008 at 5:53 PM
A well-written and gutsy blog post that sheds light on what we as professionals need to do to encourage talk and discussion not only amongst ourselves at conferences but online, in the blogosphere, if you will, where so many colleagues in libraries have already congregated and push enormous quantities of content from many different voices out to readers.
I dislike shameless plugging, but take FriendFeed, for example. I created a “Room” (a virtual space where folks can discussion a topic) and named it after my own blog, The DIGITAL Archive. So far it’s just me in this room, but all interested are welcome to join. However, if that does not interest some folks, there are many opportunities to create more rooms and invite users. It’s really a matter of trying, of taking a chance.
July 19, 2008 at 10:09 AM
@DKemper Shamelessly plug away, that’s the only way people will find out about what you’re doing. I have been on lockdown all weekend (no Internet access) but I will definitely join your room.
I think we need to take a cue from the librarians and just start doing, you know? I’m still a newbie to the archival field and I want to learn from people who are established but they have to be willing to share their knowledge in a forum that is open and inviting, not just within the pages of an academic journal.
July 19, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Dani, I agree. We should take a chance and embrace some of these new technologies, and in many ways follow the steps of librarians in the blogosphere.
To embrace these new technologies is really to embrace the ideals of sharing and communicating information and exchanging knowledge, either among new archivists or between senior archivists and the next generation of archivists.
The Social Web is really about using the technology to communicate and collaborate and to form communities, virtual or otherwise.
However, I must caution you that the Social Web (blogs, micro-blogging, podcasts, social networking sites, etc) are time-consuming. It takes time to write quality blog content, for example. And for many archivists, time and other resources are limited and mainly directed to taking care ‘bread-and-butter’ business.
So let’s move forward, one step at a time.
July 19, 2008 at 4:51 PM
@DKemper True. I hadn’t even thought about the time required to maintain a social network (you’d think I would have). I think the small strides that have been made so far (the recognition that more needs/should be done) is incredibly important. And the fact that we are discussing this shows that there is an interest.
July 22, 2008 at 8:15 AM
[...] recorded first by thealmostmusic on 2008-07-21→ Blogging Archivists [...]
July 23, 2008 at 1:00 PM
I concur with DKemper entirely. I have an internal blog here at my company. I use it to reach an highly technical audience that wouldn’t normally even think of an archives – outreach. I also use it to pull together my thoughts on issues of relevance – elevator speeches. These are tangible benefits for the time investment. But to blog externally, well, that assumes that somebody would read it! And even if that’s so, the time invested produces too few benefits to justify taking time away from other things … like my family.
July 27, 2008 at 4:29 PM
I’m enjoying reading your blog and have added you to my own blogroll and RSS feed. This is a great topic. As someone who just recently started blogging, for me it is an exercise in intellectual curiosity. Blogging is a way to throw ideas up against the wall and see what sticks. By communicating my active interests in a blog I not only inform others, but I also educate myself and hopefully make myself a better archivist in the process by interacting with others.
July 27, 2008 at 5:39 PM
@Gordon Thank you, I appreciate the support and the kind words. My plan is to set up a blogroll within the next few weeks and show my fellow blogging archivists some love.
July 31, 2008 at 6:15 PM
I’ve tried writing a blog off and on (on this week, but who knows how that will last) and what I’ve found the most challenging is being confident enough to self-promote. I look at what I’ve written and think “is this good enough for other people to read?”
Is this an issue for anyone else? All the blogs I read seem pretty confident & competent.
July 31, 2008 at 8:28 PM
@Sara I think you raise a valid point and the easy answer is that your opinion, your thoughts, matter. The hard answer is that you have to be confident in your abilities to express yourself clearly in order for others to recognize the importance. And if you don’t have that confidence, “you fake it til you make it.”
Sometimes I know the stuff I’m saying is silly but that’s what makes my blog personal to me (and, I hope, appealing to others). This is pretty much who I am: silly, smart, self deprecating and a tad bit snotty. Find your voice and your audience will find you.
July 31, 2008 at 11:21 PM
[...] archivists) and reading some interesting and encouraging responses elsewhere (see Archives Next, Curious Child, The Digital Archive, and BlogHer), I decided to try to talk about my purpose in blogging on the [...]
March 11, 2009 at 10:07 PM
[...] Social Networking, twitter | Many moons ago, I asked why archivists aren’t as active in the social networking world and a lively discussion ensued but I never really followed up on my [...]