Response

Gore Matienzo – Question 3

By Emily Gore, Mark A. Matienzo
November 2015

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3If there is a value in radical archives, archival practice, or archival content, what is it and how do you achieve and maintain it? If not, why not?

Emily Gore

Director of Content – Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)

Emily's Responses:
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Mark A. Matienzo

Director of Technology – Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)

Mark's Responses:
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Emily

¶ 1 Leave a comment on paragraph 1 0 I absolutely think there is value in radical archives. I think that value is in leading, in not being afraid to get something wrong. I think that value is in risk-taking. We all learn from those who are willing to lead.

¶ 2 Leave a comment on paragraph 2 0

Mark

¶ 3 Leave a comment on paragraph 3 0 The value of radical archives is demonstrated by the actions you are willing to take and your ability to shape the direction of your institution, your community, or your collections. I feel that to be truly successful, archives do not have a choice about whether to be radical; rather, they must choose the ways in which they commit their energies to being or becoming radical. Since “being radical” can mean any number of things, the path taken to achieving and maintaining a radical stance really depends on what that “root” or source is for radical action.