I am deeply impressed with the National Archives. I first came to hear of them when I learned that they allow their readers to bring in digital cameras, under reasonable conditions, and I was impressed. After all, the only certain way to ensure the destruction of a document is to ensure no copies are made.
I did write to them and suggest that they keep copies of all these photographs — instant digital library! — but they couldn’t see how they could manage this administratively. Still, they replied.
Today I learned by accident that they have decided to harness their readers’ interest and create a Wiki, Your Archives. The idea is that their readers can supplement the archival listings which are professionally produced. In this way, for free, readers will be able to contribute and improve the catalogues.
This is very intelligent thinking. The internet wasn’t built by a central initiative, but by a million tiny hands. Every sentence added to such a wiki is a gain. And it really costs them nothing! I see no downside.
If you use the National Archives, please contribute to this Wiki. I have often criticised the British Library for ‘not getting it’. Here is an example of a bunch who really have got the point of the internet, and can see what it can do for them, and for the world.