Letters

Send your letters via e-mail to both co-editors:

Miren Llona (Spanish text)- miren.llona@ehu.es
Juan José Gutiérrez (English text) - juan_gutierrez@csumb.edu

Website Center for Digital Storytelling

Dear Friends,

In describing the pattern of development of the Center for Digital Storytelling's work over the last seventeen years, I have employed numerous process metaphors: waves, cycles, trends, phases. My perception was that as with all social phenomena, we could predict with some certainty that as one area of enthusiasm or interest diminished, another would emerge, become dominant, and define the focus of our work. We moved through a focus on local arts (1993-96), dot.com technology professionals (1996-98), education (1998-2002), and health/social services (2002-present) in much this way, gradually supporting the adoption of digital storytelling practices throughout the U.S. and in locations around the world. During each of these phases, I certainly had a strong sense of optimism, even as I and my collaborators faced the innumerable challenges of keeping our small non-profit alive. Ups and downs, comings and goings.

Somehow, the last nine months seem different from any period in this history. There is the story of the recession; we are of course affected by the economic downturn, more each month as improvements in the civic and non-profit sectors lag behind those occurring in commercial sectors. Fortunately we have thus far been able to eek out an existence, mainly by harvesting projects from the large number of seeds that were planted during our expansion over the last five years. But I am not talking about economics. What I am sensing is that the role of our work is changing.

Joe Lambert
Executive Director

Champion of Oral History at Canadian Archives Retires 
Film and Broadcasting Section, Library and Archives Canada

Richard Lochead, former manager of the Film and Broadcasting Section, retired on January 11, 2010, after 35 years of service at Library and Archives Canada.

After attending university in the late sixties, Richard joined the Sound Section of the National Archives of Canada in 1974. He was soon attracted to the newly formed oral history movement as a means of making the Canadian archival record more representative (“a form of affirmative action for the historical record”). He became involved in the fledging oral history program at the National Archives and then became editor of the Canadian Oral History Association (COHA) Oral History Forum. As editor and later President of COHA, he gained experience in fund-raising for and organizing conferences. These conferences provided a means of obtaining papers for the Oral History Forum, as well as bringing oral historians together from across Canada.

In 1989 and 1990, Richard organized and hosted two conferences at LAC - Beyond the Printed Word symposium and the international Documents that Move and Speak symposium - whose proceedings were both later published. During this period, Richard broadened his work experience with secondments at the Archives of Ontario and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. He became manager of the Audio-Visual Division (formerly Moving Image and Sound Archives) in 1994 and was confronted with the challenge of government cutbacks. However, he was fortunate to be able to extend existing production funding for Telefilm Canada productions to include archival preservation. In June 2008, he accepted a pre-retirement assignment to write a report on the status of audiovisual heritage in Canada.

Richard’s significant contributions to archival practices and theories in the areas of oral history, audio-visual archives, and copyright resonate on a national and international scope. He has been, and will remain, a valuable colleague, friend, and advisor to many of us. His sense of humour and unique “Richard” ways will be missed.

History Society of Naples, USA

I am the Executive Director for a small nonprofit organization in Naples, Florida, USA, and am proud to say that we have recently completd the filming and production of a 25-minute professionally produced high-defintion film that serves as our debut film for our oral history preservation initiative.  This film unveiled in a major fundraising event this past February and I am now exploring a media buy for our local market.

Our film is exceptional in how it was created, written and produced, and I was wondering if you could help me learn more about the opportunities to showcase this film in your association, share it with others, etc. etc. etc.  I did review your website while preparing for this project two years ago, and believe that this is a quality organization.  A next step is to learn more.
I would appreciate a chance to chat with you at your convenience.  Please let me know a good time to phone you, or please call me if you can.  I look forward to hearing from you and exploring any potential next steps.  Many thanks once again for your time.

Regards,
Elaine L. Reed
Executive Director
Naples Historical Society
P.O. Box 201
Naples, FL  34106
General Tel. 239-261-8164
Direct Line:  239-403-8014
email:  ereed@NaplesHistoricalSociety.org
website:  www.NaplesHistoricalSociety.org

MISSION:  To Preserve Naples History and Heritage for the Community and Future Generations to Enjoy.
Palm Cottage(TM), an historic house museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places
The Norris Gardens at Palm Cottage, an historic garden
Location: 137 12th Avenue South @ Gulfshore Blvd...in the heart of the Naples Historic District