The Desolation of Smaugness

One thing that has always separated archivists from librarians is our commitment to the preservation of the items in our care. Librarians consider a book to be like a disposable razor: open the package and after a dozen shaves or so, toss it in the trash. Archivists, on the other hand, treat materials like Grandpa’s straight razor: keep it dry and clean and it will last a lifetime (and then some). Archivists have always been concerned with the long haul, allowing access under controlled conditions to maximize the life of three-dimensional information-bearing objects. For our pains, however, we have been maligned by Biblioposers as “dragons,” guarding our treasure trove from pesky little Hobbits who would steal from us. While we should take pride in such accusations, lets take a moment to explain our Smaugness.

Biblioposers love to put access to information above any other consideration. In creating “commons” for the commoners, Biblioposers love to bend over backwards for any motivation-challenged, thumb-typing Hobbit and show off the latest brain numbing tool served up by their masters, the Information Scientists. By comparison to their cheerful, helping presence at the reference desk, we archivists easily appear to be nothing more than snooty, elitist fussbudgets that don’t allow our researchers to use pens or even so much as bring a coffee in from the espresso bar. Here at True Archives we say never compromise your reading room rules to appear more "friendly" and "helpful." If Bilbo Baggins and his pals want to enjoy a few flagons of mead while they research, tell them to leave! Don't ever apologize for guarding the treasure of Erebor with all the ferocity of a Dragon.