NARA Hosts Heads of Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand National Archives and Libraries
By Mary C. Ryan | National Archives News
WASHINGTON, September 16, 2024 — The National Archives hosted the leaders of five major English-speaking national archives and national libraries on September 11 and 12, 2024. The delegation included Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada; Rachel Esson, National Librarian Te Pouhuaki, National Library of New Zealand; Anahera Morehu, Poumanaaki Chief Archivist, National Archives of New Zealand; Simon Froude, Director-General, National Archives of Australia; and Marie-Louise Ayres, Director-General, National Library of Australia.
Simon Froude, Director-General, National Archives of Australia; Rachel Esson, National Librarian Te Pouhuaki, National Library of New Zealand; Anahera Morehu, Poumanaaki Chief Archivist, National Archives of New Zealand; Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada; Marie-Louise Ayres, Director-General, National Library of Australia; and Loïc Dumas, Manager, International and Strategic Affairs, Library and Archives Canada, stand in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, DC, September 10, 2024. (National Archives photo by Maureen MacDonald)
The National Archivists and National Librarians met with Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan and other National Archives staff members over two days of meetings in Washington, DC, and College Park, MD.
The areas of interest discussed included expanding access, standards and priorities for the use of artificial intelligence, public engagement, cybersecurity, balancing access to information and protecting privacy, education outreach, and the shift from traditional to digital records collection and maintenance.
While on a tour of the National Archives Building in Washington, the international guests saw treaties for each country (Canada, New Zealand, and Australia), all signed by King George VI and the 13th Amendment. At College Park, they were shown the 1945 Japanese Instrument of Surrender, which was signed by representatives of all four countries, and the 1823 copperplate of the Stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence.
On Wednesday, September 11, Weir, Morehu, Froude, and Shogan—the National Archivists—participated in a roundtable discussion attended by National Archives staff.
During the visit, the five national archivists and national librarians, Dr. Shogan, and Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden signed a Cooperation Arrangement expressing an intent to share professional information and laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
On Thursday, September 12, the delegation toured the National Archives at College Park, including the Archives 2 Digitization Center, Conservation Lab, and Research Room.
Since its earliest days, the National Archives has been an active participant in the international archives community. This month’s visit reflects the U.S. National Archives’ long-standing commitment to international cooperation and information-sharing among peer institutions.
Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen J. Shogan; Librarian and Archivist of Canada Leslie Weir; Director-General, National Archives of Australia Simon Froude; and Poumanaaki Chief Archivist, National Archives of New Zealand Anahera Morehu discuss areas of common interest during a roundtable discussion at the National Archives in Washington, DC, September 11, 2024. (National Archives photo by Ellis Brachman)
At the National Archives at College Park, visitors view the copperplate of the Stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence. From left to right, Simon Froude, Director-General of National Archives of Australia; Allison Olson, National Archives Director of Preservation Programs; Fletcher Durant, supervisory conservator; Rachel Esson, National Librarian Te Pouhuaki of New Zealand; Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada, Meg Phillips, National Archives External Affairs Liaison; Marie-Louise Ayres, Director-General of the National Library of Australia; and Connie Stromberg, contract conservator. (National Archives photo by Ellis Brachman)
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