AFU Newsletter - No 43 - 2002

Magazine Overview

Title: AFU NEWSLETTER
Issue: 43
Date: June 2002
Publisher: Archives for UFO Research Foundation (AFU), Norrköping, Sweden
ISSN: 0283-6378

This issue of the AFU Newsletter focuses on the operational aspects of the Archives for UFO Research (AFU), detailing recent challenges, expansions, and ongoing projects. It highlights the importance of preserving UFO-related materials and fostering critical discussion within the field.

A Trojan Horse: Virus Attack and Data Loss

The lead article, "A Trojan Horse," by Anders Liljegren, recounts a devastating virus attack on March 6, 2002. The W32 Klez virus and its Trojan horse caused the loss of nearly all digital files, including the draft of AFU Newsletter #43, which was intended for March distribution. The loss also included a significant portion of the 2001 book acquisition listing, which had grown to 14 pages. While the virus protection program has been improved, reconstructing the lost data, particularly the acquisitions from Ole Jonny Brænne, will require considerable effort.

AFU's New Library and Archive Expansion

Anders Liljegren also reports on the significant expansion of AFU's archival facilities. During the first half of June, AFU moved into a third locality along the same street, adding 62 square metres of floor area. This expansion makes AFU "the Archives for UFO research, in the plural form." The new library, designated the 'B' archive, will house the reference and lending library. The move involved relocating 35 sections of shelves and was coordinated with a board meeting of the UFO-Sweden organization on June 16. Special thanks are given to Johnny and Conny Ljung, and Wolfgang Randisek for their assistance.

The previous main archive ('A' archive, 74 square metres), in operation since 1993, will now be used purely for archival collections and will be further equipped with 16 IKEA shelves. Parts of the collections from AFU's first archive (operational 1980-1993) have been moved to the two other archives. This move frees up an 8-square-metre room in the first archive, which has been rented to the Swedish Humanist Society. Håkan Blomqvist, an AFU board member and vice chairman for the Humanists, will manage this space. This rental arrangement, along with increased financial support from UFO-Sweden and new sponsors, helps finance the new archive.

• The three archives, all located along the same street, are described as follows:
• 'A' archive (74 sq m): Magazine collections, Swedish & Scandinavian UFO reports, clippings, personal and organizational files, bibliographies, encyclopedias, and the book sale department.
• 'B' archive (library, 62 sq m): Reference and lending book libraries, science & SF, paranormal & esoteric collections, audio & video library, microfilms (including a reader), and picture library.
• 'C' archive (30 sq m): Surplus magazines, map collection, and storage for other paraphernalia.

Field Investigation Project

A group of sixteen field investigators from UFO-Sweden conducted a project in the west-Swedish county of Värmland during the first week of July 2002. The objective was to gather new information on old UFO reports from the AFU database and AFU-UFO-Sweden archives, as well as to uncover brand new, previously unknown reports. Preliminary reports indicate the project was highly successful, adding a large number of unknown reports and proving effective in day-by-day cooperation with local news media. Investigators debriefed nightly, with all photo material and audio interviews secured for a final report. The exercise is considered unique by international standards.

Joint 'Mag' Exchange Program

AFU and UFO-Sweden are initiating a joint international exchange program for their publications. The AFU Newsletter will be distributed alongside UFO-Sweden's 'UFO-Aktuellt' (edited by Håkan Ekstrand and Clas Svahn) and an English translation-summary of 'UFO-Aktuellt' (edited by Stefan Isaksson). These publications are quarterly, and the joint mailing aims to reduce costs and create an effective exchange. Partners are invited to respond, and those with regular publications for exchange are encouraged to contact AFU directly.

On the Need for UFO Archives!

This section features a review by UFO historian Jan Aldrich of the 9th issue of 'UFO Historical Revue,' published on the Project 1947 mailing list. The issue addresses a critical crisis in the preservation of UFO history, noting the rapid deterioration of paper records, photographs, film, and audio media. Barry Greenwood discusses techniques for preserving records, including a method for freshening faded newspaper clippings. The review emphasizes that the crisis affects not only personal UFO records but also institutional records, which are lost through neglect and mismanagement. It questions the fate of UFO collections donated to archives and institutions, given the cavalier treatment of mainstream records. Aldrich's review serves as an argument for supporting private archives like the AFU foundation.

As a further example, the review mentions a request made to Jacques Scornaux of the French archival group SCEAU for a presentation on their work in preserving ufological records in French-speaking countries.

What is SCEAU?

SCEAU (Sauvegarde Conservation des Etudes et Archives Ufologiques) is a French acronym for "Preservation and conservation of ufological studies and archives." It is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 to address the common problem of ufological documents being dispersed, lost, or destroyed when individuals cease their interest or groups disband. SCEAU offers "archives transfer contracts" where donors transfer their archives to SCEAU, either immediately or after their death, with specified consultation conditions.

SCEAU classifies and inventories recovered documents, then deposits them in the French Public Records network (National Archives and departmental archives), ensuring access under French law. Books and magazines not accepted by public records are deposited in public libraries. SCEAU has established several such "SCEAU libraries" in France and plans further deposits in Belgium. Contracts with archives centers and libraries ensure the durability and define consultation conditions.

SCEAU acts as an intermediary, strictly respecting the donor's wishes and keeping no original documents. The organization does not take a stance on the nature of UFOs, believing that all documents, regardless of perceived validity, may be important for future researchers or for sociological study of beliefs. SCEAU also plays an awareness-raising role and advises researchers on long-term preservation. They publish an annual bulletin and have established links with organizations like SHG and AFU. Their contact information is provided.

Recent New Exchanges

• This section lists new exchange partners:
• La Nave de los Locos: Based in San Miguel, Santiago, Chile, this newsletter is described as "good skeptics" with a focus on skeptical analysis in Spanish, covering the Americas and southern Europe. Issues 11 and 12 included short English summaries, but this feature was removed from issue 13.
• Yhteys, Suomen Ufotutkijat ry: The Finnish UFO Research group's newsletter from Tampere, Finland. Issue 2/2002 is noted, and the editor expresses a need for English translations of Finnish content.

AFU Newsletter Information

Details about the AFU Newsletter are provided: it is published quarterly by AFU, with Anders Liljegren as editor. AFU was established in 1973, and the newsletter began in 1975. Reproduction is encouraged with proper referencing. AFU is a non-profit foundation aiming to build a Swedish-International UFO library and research archive, support serious research, and stimulate critical discussion.

Membership in Sweden: An annual donation of 150 SEK is required.
International exchanges: AFU is interested in exchanging newsletters, journals, monographs, or other media. The newsletter is not available via subscription outside Sweden.
Sponsorship: Sponsorship of the AFU foundation is welcome from anywhere in the world. A minimum annual donation of 600 SEK is requested, along with donations of records and materials related to the UFO subject.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the practicalities and importance of UFO research and archival work. There is a strong emphasis on the preservation of UFO history, highlighting the fragility of physical and digital records and the critical role of organizations like AFU and SCEAU. The newsletter also showcases collaborative efforts within the UFO community, such as joint exchange programs and field investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of dedicated, serious research, advocating for the systematic collection and preservation of all UFO-related materials for future study, regardless of their immediate perceived validity. The challenges faced, such as virus attacks and the need for funding and support, are openly discussed, underscoring the commitment of the AFU and its partners to their mission.