Re: (erielack) ELHS collection

[Njricky2_@_aol.com]

Listers,
 
It's been quite the discussion so far and overall, a good one. However, a  
few things stand out should the archives be moved from Akron.
 
From what I've read, if the archives were to be moved to Steamtown, ELHS  
gives up ownership. There has been much discussion about giving up ownership to  
the Feds and what happens to the collection if Steamtown's funding should  be 
cut. That was circumvented by a lister who said that a national park  hasn't 
been closed in 100 years. I don't know that for a fact but I'll accept  his 
words.
 
There are the pluses if the archives have a home at  Steamtown. Yes, Scranton 
was the headquarters of the Lackawanna and yes, Erie  served Scranton as well 
and was the railroad when it came to hauling  anthracite from the Scranton 
area to market. For those and other  reasons, not to mention that city's 
location, Pat McKnight and others with  him who care as we do, Scranton appears to be 
the right place.
 
So there are a few things to consider. Scranton sounds like the  logical 
place for the collection for all the reasons stated. The concerns about  ownership 
can be addressed as well. There are at the minimum, three learning  
institutions in Scranton that might be interested if ownership is a problem. 
 
They are the University of Scranton, Marywood University and Lackawanna  
College, the last one being the younger of the three, and it has an  equally good 
track record. They are worth contacting.
 
Then there is the subject of cataloguing. There are students who  pursue a 
degree in Library Science. As a part of their studies, they would  be a positive 
factor in cataloguing the collection under supervision. 
 
Digitilaztion is the ultimate goal with any collection of significance and  
this collection is one of them. As has been mentioned, there are the cost  
effects of digitizing but in the end, that will be the way to go.
 
As we see, there are many things to look at when it comes to preserving the  
history of Erie Lackawanna and it's predecessors. The most important thing to  
look at is the Board of Directors of ELHS who to date, for whatever their  
reasons, have said nothing.
 
As a member of ELHS, I expect that the Board will state their intentions  
onlist so that, members or not, all who care about the preservation of Erie  
Lackawanna's history will be informed.
 
All the best,
 
Rick Sedlisky
ELHS #3319 ELHTS #4
 
In a message dated 2/28/2007 3:40:42 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
root_@_bluemoon.net writes:

On Wed,  28 Feb 2007 Tom Schmieder said:

> Actually, it could benefit the  society because we won't have to pay to have
> someone catalogue the  archived materials. Hmmm... No cost to catalogue,
> secure place for the  collection, easily accessible by the membership and 
the
> public...  Windfall savings for the ELHS.

Tom,

We wouldn't have to pay to  STORE the archive if it were donated to Steamtown!

As for the ownership  issue, what specifically is the benefit to the society 
of
ownership? Does  it in fact outweigh the great expense of retaining ownership?

I'm 1000%  behind some sort of digitization of paper program. If it's stored 
in
some  lossless digital format that is easy to retrieve and distribute,  how
different would be the value in retaining ownership of the physical  paper?

As far as airing society laundry goes, I think the board should  look at it as
an opportunity to show how well they can handle an important  issue such as
this. Taking care of a tough problem ought to be good  PR.

Henry - ELHS #2684

J. Henry Priebe Jr.    Blue  Moon Internet Corp Network Administrator
www.bluemoon.net     Internet Access & Web Hosting
www.railfan.net     Railfan Network Services



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