While I agree that everyone should be encouraged to use library holdings
(especially with so many catalogs going on-line), there are still utilities
in using museum-l and other listserves for what, on the surface, may seem
simple questions.
 
We have all seen the erosion of our time, and at the same time there have
never been more topics in print or in journal articles. Wading through them
to find the gems is almost an impossibility. Reference librarians (and my
wife has worked as one) have specializations and can be instrumental in
some searches. However, they are also limited in time, and in some
libraries are given time limits (yes, time limits: "I'm sorry sir, your
three minutes are up.") for helping individual clients.
 
Students should be encouraged to check out their libraries, but at the same
time they should not be discouraged from asking their "elders" for advice
to separate the dross from the jewels. By the same token, overworked
professionals should be able to ask their colleagues to help "cut through
the mustard" and point them in the right direction. Either example
eventually points to a library - but with better focus.
 
Personally, I don't think most of the questions posted are either inane or
time wasting. I do think that many of them point to the need for more
resources on Internet - such as bibliographies or summarizations of survey
results in museums that can be downloaded. While an index of past
discussion topics may be useful, I think an expanded ftp library of
resources would be even more valuable with items such as a current A.A.M.
book list, transcriptions of worthwhile seminar papers, specialized
bibliographies contributed by list members, and rosters of specialists in
certain fields.
 
--------------------------------------------
Byron A. Johnson
Tampa Bay History Center
Tampa, FL
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