ARCHIVES AND USERS: WORKING TOGETHER

We lose contact with our users when we get too entangled in the routine of the archive and its multiple tasks. The various, and swift, technological and operational changes that become common in the production of programmes do not allow us to be apart of this routine. The changes in our users' routines almost never affect our work in the archive. To have a better knowledge of our users is an important tool for the development or the improvement of the information retrieval system that would fulfil all their needs. Being close to the users also makes possible the selection of material better suited to their needs.

A simple visit or talk to the users is not sufficient. It is, literally, necessary to work with the users! One of the best opportunities is to join the production meetings, to hear about the users' needs and to offer ideas and archive material. Another idea is to promote workshops for both the archive staff and the users to discuss problems, to point out difficulties and to look for solutions. Sometimes the users are unaware of the problems that make it difficult for the archive to provide a quality service. The users do not always know what the archive has to offer, so training them would offer great opportunities to show our capabilities.

The archive can no longer simply be a passive partner. It cannot wait to be asked for its services. Offering other products allows partnerships that provide valuable allies for the development of both technology and the archive staff. Working with these premises, the Globo TV Documentation Center suggested a TV programme that uses only archive material. The project was approved with the recommendation that the production should be made by the archive itself. Today it is one of the most popular programmes of the Globo TV news channel. We also produce bulletins with information on the latest acquisitions. Not only does this keep the users up to date, but it is also an excellent tool for promoting the archive. The agendas (monthly and annual) published by the Cedoc became an essential element in the news production meetings. In these agendas, each day has a list of events relevant to that date: birthdays, deaths, centenaries, catastrophes etc. The archive's products could also become products for external promotion of the company itself.

With the riches we have in our hands we will not lack ideas and opportunities to suggest programmes and/or to create projects and products. Doubtlessly, working with the users makes for an improvement in the quality of the final product.

Nisicler Moreira Figueira
TV Globo Ltda. (Brazil)