MODERATOR--RBMS List and ExLibris List

[ewilkie@ix.netcom.com (Everett Wilkie )]

For better or worse, the point was made quite clear when the new RBMS 
list was established that discussions of RBMS-related topics would no 
longer appear on ExLibris.  If topics that are appropriate to the RBMS  
list are not posted there merely because it is "tiny" or apparently not 
of sufficient mass to ensure a wide audience to a poster's opinions, 
that's no reason not to use it.  It is never going to grow if people 
don't initiate discussions on it germane to its purpose and help build 
an audience for it.  Anybody can join it; you don't have to be an RBMS 
member or anything special like that.  But there are a lot of people on 
ExLibris who *don't* want to read about RBMS matters.  In fact this 
whole evolving discussion about the defects of the RBMS list should 
probably be transferred to it, as well.

I don't particularly enjoy this dual moderator role sometimes.  I feel 
like Solomon deciding to divide the baby and actually having to do it 
because neither party will 'fess up.  But we now have two lists, each 
with its distinctive purpose but with common parents (and therein lies 
the problem), and those purposes need to be respected.

In his last message, Peter Graham wrote:

>I suggest that people continue the discussion wherever they feel 
>comfortable, and not limit themselves.  --pg

I would merely remind everybody that Peter is Jack of all Lists but  
moderator of none, and his advice in this matter might not be the best.



-- 
			Everett C. Wilkie, Jr.
		  Head Librarian and Crofut Curator 
		    of Rare Books and Manuscripts
		 The Connecticut Historical Society
	      1 Elizabeth St., Hartford, CT, 06105 USA
		860-236-5621, x250; Fax 860-236-2664
		      Cell phone:  860-402-2126
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