Dear friends,
 
I do not think the controversy over the directory has to do with paranoia on
the part of those who objected to having their names included.  Nor do I think
that those who objected are trying to stop the publication of the directory
as a previous poster has suggested.  To me it seems a simple matter of cour-
tesy.  When I first saw the notice regarding the directory I thought it was
a good and timely idea and sent in my entry as requested.  When I saw the notice
explaining the use of the museum-l membership list, I did not pay much attention
since I had already sent in my entry.  However, when the first murmurings of
protest began to surface, I did think those who objected had a point.  Why
should the onus be on the subscriber to museum-l to "conceal" their name
from someone compiling such a document?  I realize the membership of this
listserv is readily available using the "review" command, but does that mean
that there should be no self-imposed ethics regarding how such information is
used?  I think those who are compiling the directory should have relied en-
tirely on the request for submissions they sent out.  I appreciated their
desire for comprehensiveness, but if the response was so poor, perhaps they
should have rethought the project.
 
Furthermore, as has already been mentioned, getting the list of members from
the listserv would not even get them the information they desired, since it
would not include areas of interest, telephone numbers, etc.  It would also
include a lot of people who are not necessarily employed in museums or related
cultural institutions, but just happen to have an active interest in the field.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Steven
 
(P.S. I STILL think the directory is a great idea -- please keep my entry!)
 
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Steven R. Smith
Art Collection                                      Tel: (617)495-3150
Harvard Law School                                  FAX: (617)495-4449
Cambridge, MA  02138                  E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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