STHC-L: The Science, Technology and Health Care Archives Forum

Grad student seeks input; Here's survey on list-servs as evidence

• Date:   Sat, 31 Jul 2004 17:09:29 -0700
• To:   sthc-l@library.ucla.edu
• From:   Daria DeCooman   < dariad AT cox.net >
• Subject:   Grad student seeks input; Here's survey on list-servs as evidence
• Message-ID:   002101c4775b$d0c335c0$43860644@sd.cox.net

Greetings, 

As a student in San Jose State University's MLIS program, I'm taking Lori Lindberg's 
class on archives and manuscripts. 

In preparing to write a major paper for the class, I'm conducting research relating to 
the value of list-servs as evidence. Types of evidence interesting me include evidence 
of community or professional or scholarly activity, decision-making, and policy or opinion/trend 
formulation. Evidence of authorship or ownership of research is especially of interest. 

Below is a brief survey. If you wish to participate, please answer any or all of the 
questions. Also state the type of position you hold or work you do, and the type (academic, 
government/public, or corporate) institute in which you work. If you're a student, please 
identify your major and the degree you're seeking. 

Reply off-list to dariad@cox.net by August 3, 2004. 

All input will be appreciated. 

Regards, 

Daria DeCooman 
San Jose State University Student 
San Diego, California, USA 
dariad@cox.net 

********************************************************************* 
SURVEY ON THE VALUE OF LIST-SERVS AS EVIDENCE 
1. Do you consider list-servs to comprise records? 
2. Do you consider list-servs to offer value as evidence? 
3. If so, how are you defining evidence? 
4. If so, which archives-oriented or library-oriented list-servs do you think offer evidential value? 
5. Creators of archives-oriented or library-oriented list-servs are often their users. Do you 
think these creators can determine the evidential value of such list-servs? 
6. Do you think list-servs have altered or are altering how archivists or librarians conduct 
evidence-seeking or research? 
7. Do you think specific archives-oriented or library-oriented list-servs warrant archiving? 
8. If so, which one(s) and why? 
9. If you're the administrator for an archives-oriented or library-oriented list-serv, is there 
an archiving policy in place regarding the list-serv? 
10. If so, if this policy is publicly available online please provide the URL. 
11. Who do you think should be responsible for maintaining archives of archives-oriented or 
library-oriented list-servs? 
12. How long should archives of archives-oriented or library-oriented list-servs be maintained? 
Please feel free to provide additional comments. Thanks for your help and time!