Strange things in my world

These last few days have been both very quiet and yet quite intense. On the work side of things, I am discovering that things I had learnt at university as theory are starting to make sense in ‘the real world’!

One of the things that I am impressed with about all this theory converting itself into reality is the concept that, apart from things like the legal aspects of managing records (something which I need to really need to find out more about) the importance to a business of something common to both the theory of records management and library science. Namely the capturing of information about information and an adequate means of finding it after it has been stored safely.

It is really interesting the sorts of things that end up being archived. Apart from the obviously business related things like legal agreements, correspondence and bank statements, there are reports about various aspects of the organization and information produced by related companies. There is data in the form of experimental results going back many years that might still be of use at a later point in time, and there is also all the information from companies that are taken-over to be incorporated into the existing records and library structures. Sometimes in incorporating this information, there is the requirement to ‘de-archive’ some, or there is the dreaded discovery that what were thought to be well ordered files are actually an entangled shemozzle! (But it is fun if it becomes your job to sort it out * self-satisfied smirk *)

I’m still thinking about some of the things that are coming into coalescence about this. It’s like sometimes, in discussion with the Librarian and others at the place I’m working, ideas that have been lurking at the back of my mind suddenly come into sharp focus and plop out of my mouth, seemingly full-formed and sensible.
The biggest one that made sense today was the importance of having a single authority for the definition of how files are ordered and where and how information about them is stored. Being who and what I am, I think it is the role of the Librarian in a small company where the librarian is also the Records Manager. The trick is, I think, to encourage the mindset in all sections of the organization that the librarian is the person to ask when there is a need to organise records as well as for the more expected library type questions relating to research or getting hold of a book or journal.

Things that make you go “Hmmmm…”

On the bus yesterday, on the way home, two young men sitting in the back of the bus suddenly called out, “Look at that! Kewl!” Then hanging out of the window, “Go, granny, go!” at an older lady using one of those little metal scooters to get around.
There she was, dressed quite smartly, grey hair neatly permed and scooting along the pavement with great aplomb. It was unfortunately obvious that it was a question of need, in that one of her feet was heavily bandaged … but what a creative and imaginative and stylish way of solving the ‘getting around’ problem!
I did like it that the young men applauded that lady’s gumption * G *. That is the sort of style that I would like to have in that sort of situation!

Special Things

Just a quick note for those who (in my delusion) are reading this, and know how much I still miss my beautiful Roj-dog. In July I finally got a rose to put on his grave. I asked for the ‘biggest, handsomest, smelliest rose’ that they had at the garden centre. This week it blossomed.
Alec’s Red is a hybrid tea rose, it is a clear red blossom on long stems, and has a very strong fragrance. I think it is a very appropriate way to celebrate my Roj-dog, and finally I feel I can come to terms with my feeling of responsibility in making the decision for him to be ‘sent home’ before we moved last year. I am so glad that we had Roj with us for so long, even though that last decision was so painful, and I am glad that we could send him ‘home’ before he becoming so ill we started to resent him as our memories of him were spoilt.

Yes, I know. Roj was not a two-foot, liable to taxes and bank-fees. But my family loved him, and we are sure he loved us too. Does it really matter that he was a dog? He was definitely a personality and he is still missed. All we have to recall him (and his incredible expressions for his occasional ‘trumpet involuntary’) is a beautiful, smelly and handsome red rose.