Why a Selection Policy
It is desirable that all sound archives, which make up the national collection, should publish their selection policies:
- to allow discussion of relative role to proceed from a clearly defined base so that we can co-ordinate with other sound archives either in a hierarchy of dependence or division of responsibility between equals;
- to allow rationalisation of resources by deciding priorities and preventing duplication;
- a good service cannot be provided within the oral history field by simply reacting to public demand as there must be a positive endeavour to build collections which will anticipate needs and give an orderly expression of priorities over a period of time;
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to facilitate understanding of the operation of the sound archives selection policy.
- Users can see the principles used and thus better judge the areas covered by the collection. Donors can also make a pre-judgment of whether their material will be selected for archival preservation.
- Staff can work to clearly defined rules guaranteeing stability and consistency untroubled by staff changes.
- Evaluation of performance is facilitated.
