Society of American Archivists

Society of American Archivists. The Society of American Archivists is a professional organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of archives and archivists in the United States. Founded in 1936 by a group of archivists including Solon J. Buck, Ernst Posner, and Oliver W. Holmes, the organization has grown to include over 6,000 members from institutions such as the National Archives and Records Administration, Library of Congress, and Smithsonian Institution. The organization is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and has close ties with other professional organizations such as the American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, and Council of State Archivists.

● History

The history of the Society of American Archivists dates back to the early 20th century when archivists from institutions such as the National Archives, Library of Congress, and State Historical Society of Wisconsin began to meet and discuss issues related to archives and records management. In 1935, a group of archivists including Solon J. Buck, Ernst Posner, and Oliver W. Holmes met at the American Historical Association annual meeting to discuss the formation of a professional organization for archivists. The following year, in 1936, the Society of American Archivists was officially founded with Solon J. Buck as its first president. The organization has since grown and evolved, with notable events including the establishment of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission in 1934 and the passage of the Federal Records Act in 1950. The Society of American Archivists has also worked closely with other organizations such as the International Council on Archives, National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators, and Society of California Archivists.

● Organization

The Society of American Archivists is a 501(c)(3) organization with a board of directors composed of archivists from institutions such as the University of Michigan, Yale University, and Duke University. The organization is divided into several sections, including the Acquisitions and Appraisal Section, Archival Educators Section, and Reference, Access and Outreach Section. The Society of American Archivists also has a number of roundtables, including the Archives Management Roundtable, Human Rights Archives Roundtable, and Labor Archives Roundtable. The organization works closely with other professional organizations such as the American Association for State and Local History, National Council on Public History, and Oral History Association.

● Membership

Membership in the Society of American Archivists is open to archivists and other professionals working in the field of archives and records management. Members come from a wide range of institutions, including universities, libraries, museums, and government agencies. The organization has over 6,000 members, including notable archivists such as Terry Cook, Elizabeth Yakel, and Richard Pearce-Moses. Members of the Society of American Archivists can participate in a number of activities, including attending the annual meeting, joining sections and roundtables, and contributing to publications such as the American Archivist and Archival Outlook. The organization also has close ties with other professional organizations such as the Association of Canadian Archivists, Society of Australian Archivists, and Archives and Records Association.

● Publications

The Society of American Archivists publishes a number of publications, including the American Archivist, Archival Outlook, and SAA Book Series. The American Archivist is a quarterly journal that features articles on topics related to archives and records management, while Archival Outlook is a bimonthly newsletter that provides news and updates on the organization and the field. The SAA Book Series publishes books on topics related to archives and records management, including works by authors such as Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, and Geoffrey Yeo. The organization also publishes a number of other resources, including the Directory of Archival and Manuscript Repositories, Archives and Manuscripts: Appraisal and Acquisition, and Preserving Archives and Manuscripts.

● Annual_Meeting

The Society of American Archivists holds an annual meeting, which typically takes place in August or September. The meeting features a number of sessions, including plenary sessions, panel discussions, and workshops. The meeting also includes a number of social events, such as the All-Attendee Reception and the SAA Awards Ceremony. The annual meeting provides an opportunity for archivists to come together and discuss issues related to archives and records management, and to learn from each other's experiences. The meeting has been held in a number of locations, including Chicago, Illinois, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, California, and Boston, Massachusetts. The organization has also partnered with other professional organizations such as the Council of State Archivists, National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators, and Society of California Archivists to co-host the annual meeting.

● Awards_and_Honors

The Society of American Archivists presents a number of awards and honors to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of archives and records management. These include the Fellows of the Society of American Archivists, Distinguished Service Award, and Waldo Gifford Leland Award. The Fellows of the Society of American Archivists is an honorary organization that recognizes archivists who have made significant contributions to the field. The Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the organization, while the Waldo Gifford Leland Award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of archives and records management. The organization also presents a number of other awards, including the Philip M. Hamer and Elizabeth Hamer Kegan Award, Harold T. Pinkett Student of Color Award, and Mosaic Scholarship.

● Education_and_Professional_Development

The Society of American Archivists offers a number of educational and professional development opportunities for archivists, including workshops, seminars, and online courses. The organization also offers a number of certification programs, including the Certified Archivist and Digital Archives Specialist programs. The Society of American Archivists has also partnered with other organizations, such as the National Archives and Records Administration, Library of Congress, and Society of California Archivists, to offer educational and professional development opportunities. The organization also provides a number of resources, including the SAA Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology and Archives and Manuscripts: Appraisal and Acquisition, to support the education and professional development of archivists. The organization has also worked closely with other professional organizations such as the American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, and Council of State Archivists to promote education and professional development in the field of archives and records management.