Council of State Archivists

Council of State Archivists. The Council of State Archivists is a non-profit organization that serves as a national association for state archivists and records managers in the United States. It was established in 1976 with the support of the National Archives and Records Administration and the National Association of State Archives and Records Administrators. The organization is affiliated with the Society of American Archivists, the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators, and the International Council on Archives.

● History

The Council of State Archivists has its roots in the National Archives Act of 1934, which led to the establishment of the National Archives and Records Administration and the creation of state archives across the United States. In the 1960s and 1970s, state archivists such as Robert M. Warner and Frank B. Evans played a crucial role in shaping the organization. The Council of State Archivists was formally established in 1976 with the support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and the American Samoa, Guam, and United States Virgin Islands archives. The organization has worked closely with the Library of Congress, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to promote the preservation and accessibility of historical records.

● Organization

The Council of State Archivists is a membership organization that operates with the support of its state archivist members and partner organizations such as the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, the National Association of Secretaries of State, and the National Association of Counties. The organization has a board of directors that includes representatives from the Society of American Archivists, the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators, and the International Council on Archives. The Council of State Archivists also collaborates with the National Archives and Records Administration, the Library of Congress, and the United States National Archives and Records Administration to advance the interests of state archives and records management.

● Membership

Membership in the Council of State Archivists is open to state archivists and records managers from across the United States. The organization has members from all 50 states, as well as from American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands. Members of the Council of State Archivists include archivists from the Alabama Department of Archives and History, the Alaska State Archives, and the Arizona State Archives, as well as from the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The organization also has affiliate members from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, the National Association of Secretaries of State, and the National Association of Counties.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The Council of State Archivists has a range of programs and initiatives that support the work of state archivists and records managers. These include the State Electronic Records Initiative, which provides guidance and support for the management of electronic records in state archives. The organization also offers training and professional development opportunities, such as the Annual Meeting and the Leadership Workshop, which are attended by archivists from the National Archives and Records Administration, the Library of Congress, and the United States National Archives and Records Administration. The Council of State Archivists has also partnered with the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to support the development of state archives and records management programs in American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands.

● Advocacy_and_Outreach

The Council of State Archivists is an advocate for the interests of state archivists and records managers in the United States. The organization works closely with the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, the National Association of Secretaries of State, and the National Association of Counties to promote the importance of records management and archives preservation. The Council of State Archivists has also partnered with the Society of American Archivists, the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators, and the International Council on Archives to advance the interests of archivists and records managers globally. The organization has also collaborated with the United States Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the Library of Congress to support the development of legislation and policies that promote the preservation and accessibility of historical records.

● Leadership_and_Governance

The Council of State Archivists is led by a board of directors that includes representatives from the Society of American Archivists, the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators, and the International Council on Archives. The organization is also guided by a constitution and bylaws that outline its mission, goals, and objectives. The Council of State Archivists has a executive director who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, and who works closely with the National Archives and Records Administration, the Library of Congress, and the United States National Archives and Records Administration to advance the interests of state archives and records management. The organization also has a range of committees and task forces that support its work, including the Legislative Committee, the Education Committee, and the Outreach Committee.

Category:Archives