Report on Visit to Barbados

Elizabeth Watson

I had been invited by Elizabeth Watson, the librarian at the University of the West Indies Learning Resource Centre to address a National Sound Archive Consultation organised by the University of the West Indies Learning Resource Centre in association with the Barbados National Commission for UNESCO and the National Cultural Foundation.

The aim of the consultation was to sensitise the community on the importance and role of a national sound archive.

The event was attended by musicians, music producers, composers and singers, culture researchers, music collectors, librarians and other information managers. I had been asked to speak on the subject - Managing A Sound Archive and also to give an introductory talk on relevant useful international organisations that could give support to anyone interested in media archiving. This was an opportunity to talk to the audience about the activities of FIAT as well as IASA.

Other speakers - Dr Rita Cox, Dr Mike Alleyne - spoke about the need to preserve Bajan heritage and culture.

The second day was dominated by a most stimulating debate on rights issues, the need to get more information about the rights to musicians, and the implications of the new Copyright Act to archives and libraries in Barbados. A most concise piece of legislation is being introduced which helps greatly to clarify the situation and procedures related to the protection of copyright.

There was a great deal of enthusiasm, support and commitment to the concept of a national archive from the audience. There is clearly a need and a will to collect recordings of Bajan history, music, poetry, readings, art, for long term preservation in an archive so that it will be available for future generations to hear and appreciate and to help understand their past.

I am sure that in time, this event will prove to be a significant step in a very positive direction towards the formation of a national sound archive for Barbados .

Harriette Pierce	Rosemary Alleyne

The visit to Barbados also provided me with the opportunity to visit FIAT colleagues Harriette Pierce and Rosemary Alleyne from the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. Harriette showed me some very interesting material in the Sound collection, both original recordings made by CBC and commercially released LPs that are now of great historical significance. She and Rosemary are facing the usual hassles of broadcast archiving - old film in poor condition, old formats, no computer catalogue, not enough money etc. etc.! BUT, they are tremendously enthusiastic and determined to do the best for their collections.

Sue Malden
Sue Malden Associates
86 Ravenscourt Road
London W6OUG
UK
E-mail: sue.malden@btopenworld.com