The Juggling Edge - Small Talk

The Historical Museum of Juggling is starting to make some noise. Yesterday someone snuck in & created this but didn't post to tell anyone, shocking!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/historical.juggling
Proper website: http://www.hmofj.webs.com/

Photos on the Facebook group are available to everyone, but sadly some very interesting comments from people like Michael Chirrick & Dick Franco are hidden behind the login.

Looks like someone else will be pushing up the prices of juggling memorabilia auctions!

# by Orinoco, 2012-09-18 18:08 BST

Hey, Thanks for the shout out! Feelin' my way around the site to get an idea of how things work around here.

You are abosultely right on facebook - a lot of comments, stories and ideas floating around. Sadly, yes, you need to register, but where don't you these days?! Sorry, everyone those are Mark Z's rules not mine.

Anyway, I'm trying to layer in more information on the website < www.hmofj.webs.com > right now it's a freebie, so be patient. Right now we're working on some videos, including interviews with the Board. So, here's your opportunity to say, "hey, I did that!". . .post a question you would most like to ask a member of the board. Remember this is a family show kids!

You can post them here, on facebook, or email to me
Cheers,
Kim Coleman, Museum Director

# by Historical Museum of Juggling, 2012-09-19 14:11 BST Parent

where don't you these days?!

Here :P

Here's a couple of suggestions for questions (open to others too of course):

Interest in the history of juggling seems to be coming back into fashion. Why do you think we lost it in the first place? Why do you think it is coming back?

What item would you want a museum of the future to display about you?

# by Orinoco, 2012-09-19 18:44 BST Parent

good ones! thanks

# by Historical Museum of Juggling, 2012-09-19 19:19 BST Parent

I'm as interested in the people who collected the material, and the collection process as I am the material itself.

I know a lot of people who collect all sorts of things, and often they'll enthusiastically tell you about how they came by the items in their collection (especially for items which were collected from source personally by the collector rather than "I bought it at the IJA auction in 2004" or whatever)

The story of why they got into collecting, what items started them off, what items they've put the most research into, any items which they wish they knew more about.

Most collectors have pet subjects or niche areas which they're super enthusiastic about, I want to know what those are!

Also, have you had any input from people who specialise in cataloging collections (eg museum curators or librarians) about how best to organise the material you're gathering?

I'd love to see this project tackled in such a way that makes it easier for people conducting research to access the material easily - I'd like that much more than a loosely grouped set of photos - especially as the amount of material you put online grows.

There is free software out there which can help with that (eg http://www.open-ils.org or http://www.koha.org - there are many others!)

Anywho - good luck, there's a lot of potential here to make this a really good resource.

# by Little Paul, 2012-09-19 20:14 BST Parent

More great ideas!!!

Ooo, thanks for the links! You are absolutely correct, we need to be fully aware that when this gets going, an accurate & up-to-date cataloging system will be a must. Fortunately, two of our Board members (Erik Aberg, Co-Chair & Alan Howard, Sec/Treas)are big into printed materials - advantage there. Hopefully, we will be able to have an electronic archive for items to fragile to handle. Otherwise, the plan for the physical library includes a controlled environment.
Cheers~Kim

# by Historical Museum of Juggling, 2012-09-19 20:51 BST Parent

For collections you don't want a librarian but an archivist. They catalogue in very different ways.*

*according to my (archivist) ex-housemate

# by Lorri, 2012-09-25 12:26 BST Parent

Good point.

If anyone turns up any useful looking "introduction to archival cataloguing" info on the internet I'd be very interested.

I've been charged with curating a display/collection of old computer kit at work (I'm not sure where I'm going to fit that in along side the dayjob!) and while I've got some ideas about how I'd like to catalogue it, it'd be nice if I had a better idea of what I should be doing.

# by Little Paul, 2012-09-25 16:46 BST Parent

Yes, please do share. The info will be a huge help
Kim

# by Historical Museum of Juggling, 2012-10-01 04:26 BST Parent

Is there some invisibly tiny flaw that I am unaware of in the Bletchley Park model? What other paragon of methodical organisation could you possibly need?

# by Cedric Lackpot, 2012-10-01 11:49 BST Parent

ris?

# by Little Paul, 2012-10-01 13:53 BST Parent