UK Paper Circuit Library - decision made!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

It's taken a wee while for the cogs to complete their turning (okay, over a year!), but you might remember that I unexpectedly became the current custodian of the UK Paper Circuit Library when the Three Guardians who inherited it from Sara needed to pass it on. I've been trying to decide since then the best thing to do with the 86 lever arch ring binders full of Pros stories, and it's been quite hard. My instincts are to save everything! because that's what historians do. Sort of. And once history is lost, then it's lost.

Except...

1) I've been intermittently working my way through some of the folders, and the vast majority of stories in them are either online somewhere or/and they're on ProsLib, saved for us all by the fab hagsrus and colleagues.

2) Many of the stories are faded and hard to read (and scan) copies-of-copies-of-copies.

3) Many of the stories feel and/or smell slightly yuck, because their original life was in a smoker's house, back when that was considered okay, and I guess they've never been replaced. When I was borrowing stories from the library Way Back When (a dozen years ago or so) I remember buying disposable gloves for when I received an envelope of them, because the smokiness was so thick that my fingers smelled of cigarettes after handling the stories - it's faded alot now of course, but it's still there on alot of them. So they really all need replacing as documents anyway.

So... here's my plan:

1. I'm going to recycle any stories that are either online in an archive or on the ProsLib CD. That's 25/28 of the stories in File 1, for instance. If anyone would like me to send them any stories instead of recycling them (you might not have a printer, but like hard copies for instance) then I'm happy to do that for the cost of postage.

2. Obviously I will keep any stories that aren't available elsewhere (or have extra bits to them, like illustrations), and I will scan them to create electronic documents that can be printed out and shared in some way (I worked out that my printer does OCR after all!) I'm not going to put stories online without the author's permission, but I'll work out a way for people to find and access them - maybe printing them up into zines of some kind, or just sending them out to interested people, or something. If hagsrus has author permissions to archive their stories, then I'll pass them on to her for including in ProsLib.

Now, because I don't consider them my sole possessions, because Pros stories were written for Pros readers to read, and so I think we should all have a say, here's a poll for clicking. Bear in mind that I'm moving house at the end of next month, and I'd rather move less stuff than more, so please fill it in soon if you have any interest in all this. Lack of responses will be taken as agreement by people who just don't care that much!

[Poll #2104520]

I am going to be wincing with every story I slide into the recycling box, but I finally decided that it was the sensible option.

On the other hand, I'm looking forward to sharing all the other stories with you! *g*

So - what do you reckon?!

Comments

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!
Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ (https://www.dreamwidth.org/support/faqbrowse?faqid=303).

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

And thanks *very* much for all your work here.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Most of it is still ahead of me though, I have to say!! *g*

[boothros.livejournal.com]

I've been waiting such a long time to hear this news, what a thrilling project to be undertaking, good luck with it all.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

It's taken me ages to realise and acknowledge that I really can't keep the stories that are already online - in their condition, it just doesn't make sense... But hopefully I can start getting some new stories out to people somehow, soon! *g*

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

You know how I love to read Pros on paper. It is so much easier for me to read paper in bed and put it beside when I want to go to sleep. Can I find what is in file 1 for example?

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I totally agree about reading Pros on paper, I much prefer it too. But I must admit that I probably wouldn't read alot of these stories in bed, because many of them just don't feel clean, somehow. I'd have to get out and wash my hands again! Some are fine, but others just make me want soap!!

I think you have access to what's in File 1... I haven't sorted that site out properly yet, so I haven't made an announcement or anything about it, but you found it anyway, and the stories in File 1 are listed there... *g*

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

Well, since I'm wearing cotton gloves when I'm in bed because of my neurodermatitis I never thought about this. But I totaly understand what you mean.

And you're right, I found it. I'm quite good at finding things I want to know, aren't I? *g*

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

The only trouble is that it's a work-in-thinking-about-it-progress, so it's likely to change format and things. I don't like the way it's laid out right now for that file. But the list is correct.

ETA - oh, and if you wear gloves anyway then yes, you might not think about it! Although the gloves might get more unclean....!

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, I have to wash them all two or three days anyway, because I need them to get the ointment into my skin over night. And after two nights they feel Yuck inside. *g*

New entry in ci5hq - UK Paper Circuit Library

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User macklingirl referenced to your post from New entry in ci5hq - UK Paper Circuit Library (https://teaandswissroll.livejournal.com/891007.html) saying: [...] it Library over at . If you are interested go and read UK Paper Circuit Library - decision made [...]

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

Good decision!
Thank you very much!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you think so! I hate the idea of throwing away stories though, and I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not really....

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

I know exactly what you mean!
There is still so much bliss between these stinking sheets...

Be strong! :-)

[ali15son.livejournal.com]

I also have a collection of paper stories , someone was selling their collection so there is always the possibility that these stories can be added but then you might also have them in your collection.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Fab to have your own collection too. I must admit I have hundreds of stories of my own as well as the UK Paper Circuit collection, and my own zines - two tall bookcases full of them, in fact! *g* I much prefer reading on paper, so I don't imagine getting rid of them any time soon. *g*

If you want to send me a list of the stories you have, I could take a look and see what matches, or not! *g*

[ali15son.livejournal.com]

I agree, there is nothing like being able to hold a story in your hand, my zine collection is currently stored in boxes and my recent addition is "Never Far Apart" having finally got my hands on a copy.


I will send you a list in the next few days but i'm pretty sure that these stories will be in your collection too as they were probably shared many times over, these have stayed in very good condition atleast.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's partly the condition of many of these stories - the ones I've compared with my own versions are usually in much worse repair, and often much less readable.

And you never know, there were so many stories that were zine- or paper-only, there are bound to be gems hidden in people's personal collections! *g*

[unbelievable2.livejournal.com]

I'm not really active in the fandom now but I wanted to add a little comment.
First, I think you do an amazing job here, and to have even *accepted* 86 ring binders is a huge burden in itself!
Second, whilst like you I don't like the idea of throwing away printed stuff - a bit like burning books - I think there is a key difference here. Unless the writers are sadly deceased, they would have had plenty of opportunity over the past 40+ years to get their stuff online in some way. And clearly they have in many cases, or someone kindly has, as in evidenced by your sift. You are brilliant for all our efforts so far, but I would say, don't continue to burden your life with this. You have done your bit. More than.
X

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Well, thank you! I really don't see it as a burden though - I see it as an extra stash of Pros stories yet to be discovered! *g*

You're right about so many of the stories being online - although even more are in ProsLib. The online thing is tricky - alot of writers have put their stories online, or agreed that ProsLib can archive them, but there are quite alot who haven't. Some, I have been told, didn't want their stories to ever go online. Some of those people clearly changed their mind, because their stories are now online! But some either still don't want to, or forgot about them because they were writing 40 years ago or so, or just couldn't be bothered and so never did, or... but I'm sure there are bound to be some gems there, still waiting to be read! *g* So if I can find those stories and help them stay alive for Pros fans old and new, then I'll be happy. *g*

[unbelievable2.livejournal.com]

Well, you are a saint!
;)

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Awww! :D

[freetraveller15.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your precious effort in all this :) What you propose to do makes perfect sense to me.
P x

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope I can do it justice - glad that it makes sense, too. It makes me wince a bit to think of recycling the stories, but it's really the only thing that did seem to make sense...

[fiorenza-a.livejournal.com]

I'm with unbelievable2 in that I don't like the idea of throwing away printed stuff - but I understand the burdens of storing a full printed archive.

I think it is exactly the 'yuckness' that make these things historical artefacts. There will come a time when no one will understand how the smell of cigarette smoke was a ubiquitous part of life - so ubiquitous that even non-smokers couldn't smell it. That the office ceilings in old pictures weren't actually painted yellow.

I was simply going to suggest speaking to the British Library/National Archives/Museum of some description who might be interested in preserving some of these texts. Or possibly organisations interested in preserving social history. It is the lot of female history to end up in the shredder; so much of the rich cultural heritage of the distaff half of the world is unofficial narrative.

[unbelievable2.livejournal.com]

It is the lot of female history to end up in the shredder; so much of the rich cultural heritage of the distaff half of the world is unofficial narrative.

That's a really excellent point, and a great suggestion!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

See my reply below (https://ci5hq.livejournal.com/367971.html?thread=5930851#t5930851)! *g*

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

No, as I said I don't like the idea of throwing away things that are part of our history, and, as you point out, women's history, and I've thought long and hard about that aspect of it, and done some research into potential contacts etc. As far as I've found (and I've found related lists), there's nowhere in the UK actively archiving large fanfiction collections like this one. There were rumours years ago that there was a collection at De Montfort, but I'm not finding signs of it now. I've got an email in to one person who might know more, but sadly I'm not expecting a positive reply. You never know though, she might know a wealthy philanthropist who's making this her focus!

What I ended up thinking about this aspect was that there will be enough of the non-online stories that they will be a more acceptable representation than the current bulk, should I eventually find a repository that would accept them. Although there's definitely an argument for preserving the physicality of the fanfiction, museums etc. struggle even now to store the vast amounts of historic and prehistoric artefacts that they have, and they end up being selective because they have to be. Like I said, I won't be recycling any story that is different in any way from the online version - but the vast majority I've come across are simply poorly-copied exact versions, in varying states of disrepair, and are unlikely to be valued by such a funded body. I'm still keeping half an eye out though, and there's alot of work that I have to do before anything will be moved into recycling, so there's still time for replies etc.

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

Maybe you can find something here. uk-and-ireland-zine-libraries-directory (https://uizl.wordpress.com/uk-and-ireland-zine-libraries-directory/)

Or, since most of the zines would be slash zines, this could be interesting queerzinelibrary (https://www.queerzinelibrary.com/)

Or even this? Salford Zine Library (https://salfordzinelibrary.co.uk/library/)

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I did indeed look at those libraries! *g* The paper circuit stories don't really seem to fit though, even for the ones that accept fanzines - they're actually not zines, and they're also in pretty poor condition. If they were going to be loaned out then they'd have to be re-scanned/copied and cleaned up anyway, if only to remove the smell!

I'll be keeping an eye on them as far as my own (much cleaner and fresher smelling!) zine collection goes, though... *g*

[macklingirl.livejournal.com]

I should have known, shouldn't I? You're a very well organized person. :-)

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Lol - well it's taken me a long time, but I have been looking into the options as much as I can! *g*

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

I think that your plan makes perfect sense and is probably the only practical way of dealing with such a vast amount of paper. I can't think of any alternatives, at any rate!

I know that it really does go against the grain to dispose of some of the paper copies but if the stories are already preserved online then I think it's the only solution, particularly as I'm well aware that many of the paper copies are in a very poor state.

Good luck, and thanks so much for taking on such a massive task!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm glad you think so! I really can't think of any alternatives either, given the state of so many of the stories. It might just be because I've mostly looked through the earlier files so far, but I suspect not...

I have to say it is a pretty big task - but with the added bonus of being with our lads the whole time, so... *g*

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

You've taken on quite a challenge! Kudos to you!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It is quite the challenge, but it needs to be done so that we don't lose our stories! *g*

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Just catching up with this. I think you're absolutely right and thank you so much for being willing to do all of this! I remember when the US circuit library was dismantled, without much thought for those who were still active in the fandom. We were able to rescue some of those stories, but not all. I'm grateful that you do have a historian's attitude towards this, and the capacity to see it through. So, thank you.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope I have the capacity to see it through - it's going to take a while, I think! *g* But I hate the thought that people's love and dreams and hard work writing could accidentally vanish into someone's shredder - stories need to be read by the people who will love them! *g*

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Thanks for doing this! I guess I'm weird in that I don't care if you recycle all the paper after you copy any stories not available anywhere. If it's in a zine, I wouldn't bother or online or on Proslib, as you said, but then I'm horribly unsentimental about a tenth generation copy. You are doing a great job! I also don't see why if someone has passed on, you feel uncomfortable about putting the stories online but you do what you feel best about! I have to tell you, smoky paper would never make it into my house! I'd be burning that instantly without looking at it. Makes me very nauseous to smell smoke so kudos to you for even looking at them! You could try sprinkling baking soda into the bag and leaving it sealed for a few weeks, out in the sun! :)

Thanks again!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

If these were nice clean tenth-gen copies then I'd feel different, but I don't think there are many people who'd really like to read them as they are now, sadly. But I want to save the stories! Online or ProsLib stories are hopefully safe (although it depends whereabouts online they're archived...), but there aren't many zine stories being printed any more, so I'm counting them as endangered too...

The baking soda-sunshine trick sounds great - if only I lived in California rather than England...! *vbg* (But really, I may well give that a go for individual stories, if they're too bad! Hopefully they've all faded enough that they're bearable now though!)

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

I think your idea is perfect - much as I hate to think of it being destroyed, there doesn't seem to be any real advantage trying to keep it all when probably most of it is available online. And the physical copies aren't going to get any sweeter as the years go by - they're probably going to rot and fade. So, yes, please, go for it!

Mostly I just wanted to say thank you for all the work and thought you're putting into this.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Good point that they're not going to get any sweeter as the years go by - and they're not doing anyone much good either, if they're just sitting here in my boxes and/or shelves. They need doing something with so that we can enjoy the stories again! *g*

[heliophile-oxon.livejournal.com]

You're an absolute bloody star, you are! And we're so incredibly lucky that you are taking this on; the fact that you are an experienced researcher-and-archivist and rightly hate to get rid of stuff is great - for us :-) - because you know exactly how best to go about it in practice. So grateful that you are ensuring nothing is lost (recognising that 'buried in mouldering smoky paper' is a kind of lost, to all intents and purposes).

Nothing to add but thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

'buried in mouldering smoky paper' is a kind of lost, to all intents and purposes
Yes! That's what I'm thinking - it helps to know that other people see it that way too, because I really do hate to recycle stories away, and I keep being niggled by the niggle about it.... But it's really not pleasant to handle some of these stories, and so if they're available cleaner and fresher for people elsewhere, then it really makes sense...

I can't help but remember the first time I saw the Paper Circuit Library though, when I went to visit Sara - it was amazing, laid out on her shelves as it was...

[sw33n3y.livejournal.com]

I'm late to comment here, but just wanted to add my thanks for taking on the challenge. It must be a strange feeling, to be dealing with this physical manifestation of the 'life blood' of a long term fandom. ..So much creative drive, heart and nostalgia, there.

I can only mirror the thoughts above, about storage practicality and preservation for the ages. It's good to know these words have not been lost.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

It does indeed feel strange, and a little bit sad, because all that energy seems to mostly have faded away now. Obviously we're still here, and hurrah people are still discovering Pros fandom, but the huge passion that enabled the UK Paper Circuit Library (and the US one) to be gathered and shared and shared and shared, way before any internet... it doesn't seem to be around any more. The lads are still loved, but...

And you're not at all late commenting, by the way - this isn't something I want to rush over too much, so I'm definitely giving it a few days to hear what people think before starting to hit the recycling bins!

[jinkyo.livejournal.com]

I'm just popping in to say THANK YOU for doing this!

[golden-bastet.livejournal.com]

I *just* saw this, and wanted to add my thanks!
That is a fine thing that you are doing, there. :-)