*** Jo Ann, I don't understand why you should expect any library "to exchange information"? They are not in the business of exchanging data. Their task is to make their contents available to their clientele by whatever means their legal setup permits. Local public libraries and local archives operate under local authority aegis; national libraries and national archives operate under national legal frameworks; companies, private organisations and universities operate according to the rules of their parent bodies. As far as I am aware, NONE operate any type of exchange of data scheme. They may accept material as a donation for others to use; or they may wish to buy items. That is their remit. Almost all sources of data are accessible today. It is just that some bodies either charge for their help, or expect you to turn up in person to make use of it, or both. There is of course the legal restrictions imposed by the 100-year privacy closure rule for much government data on individuals, but some of it (depending on how it is held: there are complications) may be accessed under the recent Freedom of Information Act, if you ask the right people in the right way.... Regards, Gordon Johnson On 27/07/2010 08:01, Joann wrote: > Thank you, Mr. Johnson for enlightening me on something I did not know.? > > However, seems to me those different records still "remain almost > inacessiable."? I guess I just don't know where to search.? > > > And it still seems to me, that one should be able to ask someone in one of the > libraries to exchange information.? They would gain and so would I. > > Thank you again, > Jo Ann >

Dear all Modern libraries are very much in the business of sharing data. For example: http://www.nls.uk/about/partnerships/interlibraryservices/services/ index.html As well as the ILL (Inter Library Loan) scheme there are seemingly endless committees both national and international, all dedicated to creating master catalogues and sharing resources. The National Library of Scotland for example has been working for years to turn itself into a virtual library that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. There is a huge amount of digital material available entirely free of charge, including maps and newspapers. This is all free of charge and most is available remotely. Judy On 27 Jul 2010, at 11:05, Gordon Johnson wrote: > *** Jo Ann, I don't understand why you should expect any library "to > exchange information"? They are not in the business of exchanging > data. > Their task is to make their contents available to their clientele by > whatever means their legal setup permits. Local public libraries and > local archives operate under local authority aegis; national libraries > and national archives operate under national legal frameworks; > companies, private organisations and universities operate according to > the rules of their parent bodies. As far as I am aware, NONE > operate any > type of exchange of data scheme. They may accept material as a > donation > for others to use; or they may wish to buy items. That is their remit. > Almost all sources of data are accessible today. It is just that some > bodies either charge for their help, or expect you to turn up in > person > to make use of it, or both. There is of course the legal restrictions > imposed by the 100-year privacy closure rule for much government > data on > individuals, but some of it (depending on how it is held: there are > complications) may be accessed under the recent Freedom of Information > Act, if you ask the right people in the right way.... > Regards, > Gordon Johnson > > On 27/07/2010 08:01, Joann wrote: >> Thank you, Mr. Johnson for enlightening me on something I did not >> know.? >> >> However, seems to me those different records still "remain almost >> inacessiable."? I guess I just don't know where to search.? >> >> >> And it still seems to me, that one should be able to ask someone >> in one of the >> libraries to exchange information.? They would gain and so would I. >> >> Thank you again, >> Jo Ann >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DUMFRIES- > GALLOWAY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message