Archives are housed by sniffy folks-Nigel in Euston Rd. new BIRS kept me downstairs phone link only-no wonder Scots think English are wankers after I came from Harare to do Gaelic 78 research. On Tue, May 26, 2009 at 6:13 PM, Nigel Barrett <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > You'll be lucky if Nichol;as Carolan replies in Dublin as he is often too > busy but ge's been useful in the past-Paletine Germans in Ireland linked to > an old 78. > Nigel Barrett > On Fri, May 22, 2009 at 11:50 PM, Prentice, Will <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > >> **Apologies for cross-posting** >> >> Many, perhaps most archives, museums and libraries in the UK & Ireland >> hold audio materials within their collections, often containing unique >> material. Very often audiovisual material will come to a repository as >> part of a larger collection, requiring distinct resources in the form of >> equipment and expertise. All archives face challenges as to how they >> might actively preserve audiovisual collections for the long term, and >> how best to provide access to them. Many media are degrading on the >> shelves, while others are becoming unplayable due to obsolescence of >> equipment. All deserve to be preserved, but in a rapidly changing >> technological environment it can be hard to form a strategy, especially >> for repositories where audio materials account for a small percentage of >> holdings and specialisation lies elsewhere. >> >> British & Irish Sound Archives (BISA) is a new forum in which to discuss >> such issues. Membership currently covers a wide range of experience, >> from individuals and regional or specialist collections to national >> institutions, including the British Library, the BBC and RTE. If you are >> aware of audio material but are unsure what to do next, you are >> especially welcome. Our discussion list allows members to share >> knowledge on all aspects of audio archiving, and questions range from >> general to specific, from seemingly simple to complex. Our annual >> meetings feature a mix of reports from local archives, current research >> and practical workshops on working with audio media. They also offer a >> chance to meet and make contact with others responsible for audio >> heritage, ask questions on all audio-related topics and share >> experiences. >> >> Membership of BISA is currently free, and you are warmly invited to >> join, via www.bisa-web.org/. All those based in the Anglo-Celtic >> Archipelago (ok then, British Isles) with a professional or demonstrable >> interest in the issues above are welcome to join, take advantage of our >> online discussion list and attend annual meetings. Our next meeting will >> be held at the Wessex Film and Sound Archive, Winchester, Hampshire on >> 5th and 6th June, where in addition to a full programme of speakers >> there will be a workshop covering all aspects of caring for and working >> with audio cassettes. Full programme and registration details are on our >> website. >> >> Will >> .............................................. >> Will Prentice >> Technical Services >> British Library Sound Archive Tel: +44 (0)20-7412-7443 >> 96 Euston Road Fax: +44 (0)20-7412-7416 >> London NW1 2DB http://www.bl.uk >> UK http://cadensa.bl.uk (online >> catalogue) >> > >