[NIFL-WOMENLIT:2771] Re: New ERIC File

From: Gail Spangenberg (gspangenberg@caalusa.org)
Date: Tue Oct 28 2003 - 13:39:05 EST


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From: Gail Spangenberg <gspangenberg@caalusa.org>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:2771] Re: New ERIC File
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Judy,

I know that the individual ERIC clearinghouses have been closed by 
this administration.  But my understanding is that ERIC will still 
exist, that the administration has shifted the various data bases 
from their university-based centers (solid and logical bases in my 
opinion) to a single location through a "bidding" of sorts from 
would-be operators of the total system.

I'm not happy about this situation either, though I am admittedly 
sketchy on the facts.  Even though ERIC will still exist (I AM 
correct, right?), its knowledge data bases are very, very different, 
each from the others, each having its owned specially-trained staff 
with historical memory and continuity.  We all know the wisdom of the 
adage: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.   As far as I know, ERIC 
was't broke.  So, given other setbacks in adult education, freedom of 
expression, and access to knowledge, who knows what the dramatic 
change in ERIC mean?   I don't believe any of us in the outside world 
of adult education and literacy field were privy to the planning.

Do you know, Judy, how and where, in the future of ERIC, people in 
the field will continue to access materials for the ERIC system, or 
who to contact to get the facts on the form this "re-organization" 
will take.  Is there a central point for obtaining accurate facts 
about the management, purposes, data bases, services, and guiding 
principles of ERIC?  The government has been noticeably quiet on the 
subject, even great concern was expressed about this valuable and 
indispensable knowledge base many months ago.

I am also saddened by the fact that you and your colleagues will lose 
your jobs and that you will be lost to those of us who have benefited 
so much from you over the years.  I can only add my voice to Ujwala's 
and the others you've heard, thanking you for all you have done, done 
so professionally, and done with such commitment and understanding. 
Here's to you.

Warmest wishes, and thanks -- Gail

Gail Spangenberg
President
Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy
1221 Avenue of the Americas - 50th Floor
New York, NY 10020
212-512-2362, fax 212-512-2610
www.caalusa.org






>Dear Judy,
>
>To put it mildly, I am saddened (and shocked) by the
>news that ERIC will be closing. As a graduate student
>at Syracuse University, I know I couldn't have done
>without all that ERIC had to offer. I have fond
>memories of ploughing through the database, asking
>people for help and always getting it, and discovering
>issues (generally not related to the issue I was
>actually researching of course!) and always
>appreciating what a great resource it was.
>
>I really hope this is a temporary hiatus that will
>change with time and ERIC will be revived once the air
>clears.
>
>regards
>Ujwala Samant
>
>
>--- Judy Wagner <wagner.6@osu.edu> wrote:
>>  Good morning,
>>
>>  The Fall, 2003, issue of the ERIC File from the ERIC
>>  Clearinghouse on
>>  Adult, Career, and Vocational Education is now
>>  available in PDF on the
>>  ERIC/ACVE website
>>  (http://ericacve.org/ericfile.asp?ID=2).
>>
>>  The Director's Forum is on the closing of the ERIC
>>  Clearinghouses and there
>>  is an article spotlighting the future of the
>>  ERIC/ACVE website. There is
>>  also information about new products and farewells
>>  from staff.
>>
>>  If you would like a paper copy, please let me know
>>  (wagner.6@osu.edu or
>>  ericacve@osu.edu) and we will send it out.
>>
>>  Thanks.
>>
>>  Judy
>>
>>
>>
>>  Judy Wagner  /   wagner.6@osu.edu  /  ericacve.org/
>>  ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational
>>  Education
>>  1900 Kenny Road  /  Columbus OH 43210-1090 USA
>>  614/292-8625; 800/848-4815 (ext 2-8625);  FAX:
>>  614/292-1260
>>  TTY/TDD: 614/688-8734
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>__________________________________
>Do you Yahoo!?
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>http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/


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