The value grows, day by day
A couple of days ago, I happened into a discussion involving the word fonds. Not one of the common words, learned from my Dick and Jane reader. In retrospect, I’d never heard the term before a couple of years ago, but that shows my lack of contact with the archival mentality.
Let’s begin with a definition. Fonds (n.) – The entire body of records of an organization, family, or individual that have been created and accumulated as the result of an organic process reflecting the functions of the creator.
And you thought I was referring to liking someone. Go on, admit it.
Turns out that my basement collection probably qualifies, thereby losing its label of “junk to be thrown away” and moving up in importance to “priceless.” Who knew? All of those books and clippings and collected bits of memorabilia will become more and more important, as the world realizes that my fonds is unique, irreplaceable even.
I’ve known that there was something special growing there. (No remarks about mold and dust will be tolerated.) There are few duplicate items, and now what is needed is an index. Preferably one that could be consulted online, and that carried access to digital images. Not likely to happen any time soon. I did try my hand at making microfilms, back in the age where silver salts and cellulose were common. Believe me, even with my excellent vision, reading a 24mm by 36 mm reversed image of a newspaper page requires concentration skills far beyond the ones taught in the schools today.
Now that I’ve got an idea of the value accruing in those piles, it may require a magical tongue to convince me that a dumpster is the proper repository. Be warned…
