Society for American Archivists' article "A New Strategic Framework to Guide the National Archives Forward"
As I noted on my first day as Archivist, our mission at the National Archives is both straightforward and complex: we preserve, protect, and share the historical records of the United States to promote public inquiry and strengthen democratic participation.
Over the last year and a half, I have traveled over 50,000 miles visiting almost all NARA facilities. I have seen our records and working conditions firsthand, and had the opportunity to discuss our challenges and opportunities with our staff and many of our external stakeholders, from the White House and Congress to research rooms and classrooms. These visits and conversations have proven invaluable as we work to craft a new strategic plan to shape NARA’s future.
As a first step, we have released our Strategic Plan Framework, which outlines a refreshed articulation of our mission, vision, and values and sets four high-level strategic goals to drive the National Archives forward for the next generation.
NARA’s new goals, shared below, are not lofty aspirations. They are critical objectives that will guide our efforts as we navigate the complexities of the rapidly evolving digital landscape and strive to engage all Americans in meaningful ways.
Our Strategic Goals
I. Build Our Digital Future
Embrace the primacy of electronic information in all facets of our work and position NARA to lead accordingly. Leverage advanced technologies and reengineer systems, processes, and infrastructure to properly manage, preserve, and share our collections in the digital age.
● Develop infrastructure necessary to support growing electronic records.
● Integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic process automation to enhance data management, review, and access to records.
● Prioritize user experience design and enhanced digital experience.
● Advance digital preservation and strategic digitization of analog records.
● Modernize records management practices across the federal government.
● Optimize business practices and workforce skill sets for the digital age.
II. Transform Access and Engagement
Enhance and expand digitization, educational programs, exhibits, online resources, partnerships, and collaborations to reach new audiences and cultivate public engagement with our records and services. Provide greater opportunities for everyone, everywhere to engage with and learn from American history.
● Increase discoverability, availability, and accessibility of records and services.
● Optimize declassification and information access request processing.
● Expand connection to and utility for teachers and learners of all ages.
● Create meaningful and engaging experiences, in-person and online.
● Foster meaningful community engagement and collaborations.
III. Elevate Service
Advance a culture of service to ensure every interaction meets high standards and effectively supports our users’ needs.
● Connect with and continually learn from our customers and communities, internally and externally.
● Streamline and improve the researcher, visitor, and customer experience.
● Foster workplace excellence and improve customer satisfaction with consistent, reliable, and reputable service.
IV. Grow Our Capacity
Support our staff and optimize operations. Raise awareness about opportunities and challenges. Explore partnerships and new funding opportunities.
● Attract, train, support and retain a skilled, diverse, and cohesive workforce.
● Align internal efforts to agency goals, reduce operational silos, and create a transparent, performance-focused culture.
● Modernize and optimize core business processes, facilities, operations, and services to meet evolving needs.
● Foster collaborations and strategic alliances to support NARA’s mission, including increased engagement with Congress and across federal agencies.
Embracing Our Values
As we develop our strategic plan, I want to emphasize the importance of our values, which are foundational to our success. They have been updated to support our new goals and to reflect the enduring work of our agency for the nation.
We Serve
We are our nation’s record keepers. We work together to enrich public understanding and ensure that the stories of our nation are accessible. We actively listen to all communities, provide timely and knowledgeable assistance, and create a collaborative environment where everyone can engage meaningfully with the rich historical resources in our care. Our service ensures current and future generations can connect with and learn from our shared past.
We Inspire
We are leaders in our fields. We use our holdings and expertise to inspire life-long learning and civic engagement. We encourage creativity and curiosity, for ourselves and others.
We Solve Problems
We are bold. We develop novel approaches and imaginative solutions to improve preservation, access, and understanding of our nation’s historical records. We embrace advanced technologies and new business practices to thrive in a digital world.
We Are Trusted
We are nonpartisan. We are an authoritative and objective source for knowledge and information. We serve all Americans with honesty, fairness, and integrity.
We Are Efficient
We are shrewd stewards of the resources entrusted to us. We collaborate, innovate, and optimize our operations to effectively meet our mission.
The Importance of Collaboration
The National Archives will be working on refining the strategic plan through this winter, including collaborating with key partners like SAA. I look forward to sharing the full strategic plan later in 2025. As the Archivist, I am a passionate advocate for the National Archives and will work tirelessly to ensure that we continue to serve all Americans as a trusted repository of knowledge that inspires civic engagement and preserves the stories of our nation for generations to come.