AFU Newsletter - No 51 - 2006

Magazine Overview

The AFU Newsletter, Issue 51, dated July 2006, is published by the Archives for UFO Research Foundation (AFU) based in Norrköping, Sweden. The ISSN is 0283-6378. The primary focus of this issue is the future vision for the AFU Foundation, detailed in an article by Anders Liljegren, the editor.

Future Visions for the AFU Foundation

Anders Liljegren outlines the current situation of AFU, which operates from three venues located below street level in Norrköping. These premises are due for essential renovations, including upgrades to water, heating, drainage, and electricity systems. This necessitates a temporary move for AFU's extensive archives, with the process expected to begin in January 2007.

To manage this transition, AFU has secured a fourth venue, a 76-square-meter space that will accommodate the collections during the renovation. The plan is to evacuate most of the archives, including media libraries, into this new locality starting in October 2006. The new space is intended to be equipped with new compact shelves on rails to maximize storage capacity. The article includes blueprints illustrating the projected shelving layout, with 16 sections of rolling shelves potentially increasing storage capacity by over 100%.

After the renovations, AFU intends to move back into its present library and working facilities, spreading the collections across three premises. The oldest and smallest locality, where AFU began its work in 1980, will be relinquished.

The estimated cost for the rolling shelves is 178,000 SEK (approximately USD 22,000). The foundation is seeking sponsorship, humorously suggesting billionaires might be interested, and contrasting this with spending on 'space ports for UFOs'.

Fortunately, AFU is also applying for a grant from the Swedish National Archives (Riksarkivet) for regional, private archives. This fund can support shelves and security measures. Expertise from ÖLFA, a union of local and regional archives, is assisting with the application, with a decision expected on October 3rd.

Rethinking Collection Structure and Venues

Beyond the physical move, AFU is also rethinking how to better utilize its present venues and structure its collection. The current library, established in 2002, will become the new 'media centre', better suited for workplaces with computers, improved security, and facilities for preparing meals. This venue will house the 'tip-of-the-iceberg' of AFU's collections: books, documents, audiovisual media, and a selection of magazines.

The book library, previously organized by author, will be restructured thematically according to the Ufocode scheme. This scheme, devised in 1983, will guide the arrangement of materials in the media centre, with a planned display area of 75 square meters covering themes from 'A' (astro-archeology) to 'U' (ufology). A reader's corner for discussions and desks with computers for researchers, accessing AFU's and external databases, are also planned. The renovation will also provide true broadband internet connection.

More sensitive items, such as rare magazines, less frequented documents, archives, and manuscripts, will be stored in the new facility with compact shelves. The overall aim is to significantly increase shelf capacity.

AFU is actively seeking volunteers for renovation, moving, and other tasks. They are also looking for 'investors' to provide monetary means, particularly for computer power for digitalization and database building.

AFU People and Projects

The newsletter provides a summary of various collections and projects at AFU:

• Ann-Christin Spolander has been working on an inventory and upgrade of collections related to Swedish UFO groups and personalities. A digital inventory of these materials is planned for publication on the AFU website.
• Tomas Eriksson has returned to volunteer work, focusing on the report archives and collaborating with Sussie Andersson, who is updating the database with recent reports. He is also working on the Danish SUFOI report archives and has organized foreign report translations chronologically.

Incoming Collections

• Norway: Ole Jonny Braenne has sent approximately 100 kilos of books, magazines, and videos. He is transferring his film collection to DVDs.
• Russia: Mikhail Gershtein has provided 10 parcels of Russian materials, including books and 'Samizdat' manuscripts, which are being catalogued by Anders Liljegren. This forms the basis for a Russian-language collection.
• France: Bernard Hugues of CERPA has sent French contactee books. Didier Gomez of UFOmania has sent exchange materials and provided a positive review of AFU's work. Jean-Luc Rivera's publications are also received.
• Book Purchase: AFU is attempting to transport a collection of over 400 books purchased from Perry Petrakis. They are seeking assistance from anyone traveling from France to Sweden who could transport approximately 300 kilos of books.
• Finland: Tapani Kuningas has provided books and materials from Finnish ufologists, including missing issues of the Finnish ufologist's Yearbook. Materials from Björn Borg have also been received.
• Denmark: The last portions of the Danish SUFOI's former lending library were received via Per Andersen.
• Poland: AFU assisted Polish journalist-researcher Bartosz Rdultowski with source material and received three of his books on WWII secret aircraft related to UFOs.
• Sweden: Collections have been received from various Swedish individuals, including Leif Persson, Björn Ekelund, Ragnar Birgersson, Sven Tommy Helmér, Jan Kimby, Kenneth Karlsson, and others. These are divided between the reference library, sales shelf, and international exchange.
• eBay Sales: AFU continues to acquire materials through eBay, recently obtaining the 1972 and 1974 MUFON symposium proceedings and William Corliss's Sourcebook publications.

Information Requests

AFU receives an average of two to three information requests per week, primarily via the internet, indicating a continued need for such an institution. They assist students, journalists, ufologists, and publishers by providing scanned pages or Xerox copies. AFU is also receiving an increasing number of offers for UFO-related collections from various countries, though limited resources make it difficult to respond to all.

University Dissertations

AFU has been collaborating with university student Jessica Moberg, whose thesis is titled "When the flying saucers landed in the Swedish Welfare State." The foundation is also aware of Erik Östling's aim to write the first Swedish doctoral thesis on the subject.

Book Reviews

The newsletter includes several book reviews:

• "Unsolved History – Investigating Mysteries of the Past" by Joe Nickell: Reviewed by Stefan Isaksson, this book is praised for Nickell's thorough approach to investigating historical mysteries, even if the cases are not widely known among paranormal enthusiasts.
• "Chasing the Roswell Alien" by Glenn Marcel: Also reviewed by Stefan Isaksson, this is described as a thriller/mystery novel related to the Roswell incident. However, Isaksson criticizes it as a "sloppy piece of literature" with underdeveloped characters and a lack of depth, giving it a C grade.
• "Join My Cult!" by James Curcio: Briefly mentioned, this book is described as a cult classic involving occult themes, drugs, magic, and conspiracy theories.

Recent and Upcoming Media

A section lists various books and media that would be suitable for the AFU library, including:

• Russian: Mikhail Akhmanov's "Oglyanis – prisheltzy ryadom!" (Turn around – the aliens are near! Extraterrestrials – demons or gods?)
• Swiss: Werner Anderhub & Andreas Müller's "Phänomen Kornkreise. Der neuste Stand der Kornkreisforschung" (Phenomenon Crop Circles. The latest state of crop circle research).
• USA: Ann Andrews' "Jason – my Indigo child.", Anonymous' "The Blue Planet project.", P.M.H. Atwater's "Beyond the Indigo children."
• Various International Titles: The list includes books on UFOs, alien abduction, conspiracy theories, and related topics from authors and publishers in the USA, Brazil, France, Germany, and the UK.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The AFU Newsletter consistently promotes the importance of archiving and preserving UFO-related materials for future research and understanding. There is a strong emphasis on the need for organized collections, international cooperation, and the critical scientific discussion of UFO phenomena. The foundation actively seeks support through donations and volunteer work, highlighting its non-profit status and its role in building a comprehensive Swedish-International UFO library and research archive. The editorial stance is one of dedicated preservation and research, encouraging contributions and engagement from the UFO community worldwide.